Horror as SUV ploughs into New Year’s Eve crowd killing 10 in terrorist attack

The casualties were celebrating New Year

In the early hours of New Years day, an SUV ploughed into people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans before shots were fired.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, and Iberville at around 3.15am local time in New Orleans, Louisiana, with multiple people seen lying on the ground injured.

In a press conference held earlier today New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a 'terror attack' and asked for 'prayers for those who have lost their lives'.

Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said a man drove a pick up truck down Bourbon Street 'at a very fast pace' displaying 'very intentional behaviour'.

The superintendent said the FBI will take over the investigation into the incident in New Orleans. They confirmed that a 'device' was found and they were checking to see if it was 'viable'.

The FBI later confirmed that it was being treated as a terror related incident and that the suspect was now dead.

Witnesses say the driver began firing a weapon at the hoards of revellers after he had driven the car into the crowds. Police are said to have returned fire but two officers were shot by the male perpetrator.

New Orleans Police Department has so far stated that a truck is reported to have run down the group on the famous street. It was unknown how many people were killed or injured, but unconfirmed reports on social media suggested a "mass casualty" incident.

Footage from the scene shows multiple emergency service vehicles on Bourbon Street with paramedics on scene treating the injured. What appears to be the sound of gunfire can also be heard in the clip.

A New Orleans Police spokesperson told CBS News "initial reports show a car may have ploughed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown but there are reported fatalities."

Jim Mowrer, a US Army vet who claims he was on Bourbon Street with his wife at the time of the incident, said on X: "Was on bourbon street in New Orleans went my wife tonight about 20 minutes ago. SUV came down speeding and running people over. Mass casualty event, tried to first aid but most were dead. Estimate double digit deaths."

Nola Ready - the City of New Orleans department responsible for emergency preparedness - warns residents to avoid the area of Canal and Bourbon streets.

As well as the New Year celebrations, the area was busy with an influx of college football fans in the city for Wednesday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame University.