Embassy issues vital eight word advice to Irish caught up in New Orleans 'terror attack' as suspect shot dead
The death toll in the attack on New Year revellers stands at ten with dozens more injured
Irish people who may be caught up in the horror attack in New Orleans have been told: "Stay safe and follow instructions of local authorities".
The Irish Consulate in Austin in the US issued advice as reports of the carnage - when New Year revellers were hit by an SUV - caused shock worldwiide.
The Consulate said: "We are aware of the incident that took place in New Orleans earlier. Updates on the latest situation can be found at: https://ready.nola.gov/incident/mass-casualty-event-on-canal-and-bourbon-street/…
"Irish citizens who need to contact the Consulate can do so at +1.512.792.5500. Stay safe and follow instructions of local authorities"
At least 10 people have died and dozens more left injured in the New Year's Day terrorist attack after a car smashed into a crowd of revellers in New Orleans.
Stunned eyewitnesses said an SUV drove into partygoers in Bourbon Street, New Orleans, at around 3.15am (9.15am UK time) before the driver emerged from the vehicle and began shooting. Police and ambulances then raced to the scene. The road, which is located in the historic French Quarter and draws tourists from around the world to its bars and restaurants, was packed with revellers who had gathered to mark the start of the New Year.
Law enforcement officials have told The Associated Press that the suspect in the New Orleans crash that killed 10 people was killed after a firefight with police.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell confirmed the incident was a "terrorist attack" and she asked for people to "stay clear from Bourbon Street and eight blocks around." She added: "it's very active and a unified command is in place right now."
It has now been confirmed by police that the driver of the vehicle then got out and fired at officers with two injured. Chief Anne Kirkpatrick- of New Orleans police said that the driver had gone at "high speed" and tried to hit as many people as possible. She described the driver as "hellbent" on causing "carnage".
She stated: "A man drove a pick-up truck down Bourbon Street at a very high speed and it was very intentional behaviour, this man was trying to run over as many people as possible." She added: "I can also say this man, the perpetrator, he fired on our officers from his vehicle, when he crashed his vehicle, two of our officers have been shot, they are stable and we will give you an update on them."
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
New Orleans city has stated: "Mass Casualty Event on Canal and Bourbon Street. The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street. There are 30 injured patients that have been transported by NOEMS and 10 fatalities. Public safety partners are responding on scene. Updates will follow as they are received."
Footage shows fleets of emergency service vehicles on Bourbon Street which has been closed and paramedics are on the scene currently. Images also show a scene of devastation with injured people lying on the ground and one clip appears to hear sounds of gunfire.
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 that he saw an SUV 'speeding' down the road and 'running people over'.
He wrote: "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." Thousands of people have been in the area for New Year's Eve celebrations. There was a golden-lit fleur de lis, a public concert stage and people enjoying themselves along Bourbon Street.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed it is treating this morning's attack as an 'act of terror'.
New Orleans Police had described the incident as "terrorism" in a press conference earlier, though it had been unclear whether this designation was also being used by the FBI.
The new statement also confirmed that officers from local law enforcement shot dead the suspect at the scene.
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