UPDATES WITH DETAILS; CHANGES DECK
By Yasin Gungor
ISTANBUL (AA) — At least 10 people were killed and 35 others injured when a vehicle plowed into New Year's crowds in New Orleans' tourist district in the US state of Louisiana, local officials said Wednesday.
The incident occurred at around 3.15 a.m. (0915GMT) at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street, according to NOLA Ready, the city's emergency preparedness campaign.
A truck drove into crowds at high speed with "very intentional behavior" to run over as many people as possible, said the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), underlining that it was not a driving-under-the-influence (DUI) event, which refers to the offense of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The attacker also fired from his vehicle and two officers were shot, the police said, adding that they are in stable condition.
Police said the FBI has now taken over the investigation.
This was not a terrorist attack, according to the FBI, which also discovered improvised explosive devices. However, the FBI is investigating whether it is a live explosive device, an official told local media, while the mayor of New Orleans called the event as "terrorist attack."
Emergency services transported 35 injured people from the scene to nearby University Medical Center, Touro Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson Campus, and Ochsner Baptist Campus.
"A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning," said Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana. He urged everyone to stay away from the incident scene and nearby.
The area, a popular tourist destination, was crowded during early New Year's Day celebrations when the incident occurred.
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed they were investigating a mass casualty incident.