Ten people were killed and 30 others injured early on New Year’s Day when a car plowed into a crowd near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets in New Orleans, Louisiana, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency.
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed the mass casualty incident and urged people to avoid the area.
Emergency responders transported the injured to five local hospitals, though the conditions of the victims have not yet been disclosed.
The tragedy unfolded as New Orleans, a historic city in the southeastern United States known for its vibrant music scene and Mardi Gras celebrations, was winding down its New Year’s festivities. The incident occurred just hours before the Allstate Bowl college football quarterfinal at the Caesars Superdome, an event expected to draw thousands of spectators.
Authorities have not yet provided details about the driver, the cause of the incident, or whether it was intentional. The investigation is ongoing.
This incident marks a grim start to 2025 for a city celebrated for its culture and hospitality, as the community mourns the devastating loss of life.
