New Orleans Mayor Declares New Year's Day Incident a 'Terrorist Attack'

World News

New Orleans Mayor Declares New Year's Day Incident a 'Terrorist Attack'

2 weeks ago 10 views

News sources:

VOANEWS

NPR

New Orleans Mayor Declares New Year's Day Incident a 'Terrorist Attack'

Credited from: VOANEWS

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has referred to the tragic incident on New Year's Day, which resulted in 10 fatalities and 30 injuries, as a "terrorist attack."

The FBI is investigating the occurrence that took place early Wednesday on Canal and Bourbon Street, following a vehicle that drove into a crowd during the festive celebrations. According to NPR, Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, confirmed that at least one suspected improvised explosive device was found at the scene.

The New Orleans Police Department stated it was addressing a mass casualty scenario that unfortunately included deaths. Advisories from NOLA Ready urged onlookers and residents to stay clear of the area. Victims of the incident were transported to five local hospitals for treatment.

The events unfolded at approximately 3:15 a.m., as the city's New Year's celebrations were still ongoing and shortly before the Sugar Bowl, a college football quarterfinal anticipated to draw large crowds at the Superdome. Security measures had been intensified prior to New Year’s, with the police department reporting a full staffing of 300 officers from various partner agencies to ensure public safety. The directive was to maintain a strong presence of both marked and unmarked police vehicles.

For more details, visit Voice of America.