At least 10 people have died and dozens more left injured in a New Year’s Day terrorist attack after a car smashed into a crowd of revellers in New Orleans.

Stunned eyewitnesses told how 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 firing at police. The suspect has now been confirmed as dying in the shooting.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident in the city’s popular Bourbon Street area a “terrorist attack”. It took place towards the end of New Year’s celebrations and hours before the kick off of the Sugar Bowl, a college football quarterfinal held in the city’s Superdome, with thousands expected to be in attendance.

The city’s emergency preparedness agency, Nola Ready, advised people to stay away from the area. It said the injured had been taken to five local hospitals.

An unverified video shared in the aftermath appeared to show a number of injured lying on the ground. The FBI has now taken over the case and here’s everything we know so far about the tragic incident.

What happened?

Eyewitnesses said a pick-up vehicle drove into the crowd on Bourbon Street at high speed, before the driver reportedly got out and started firing a weapon and that has now been confirmed by Chief Anne Kirkpatrick- of New Orleans police, who 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.”

US Army veteran Jim Mowrer 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.”

In one video shared on social media, gunfire can be heard ringing out in the background as people flee the area. Authorities since declared a “mass casualty incident” and urged people to stay away from the area.

Local residents have been urged not to call 911 this morning unless it is an emergency amid huge pressure on police and ambulance services. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said: “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”

Families of victims arriving at the University Medical Center (UMC) are being asked to go to the UMC Conference Center on the first floor, across from Tower 2, which is the midpoint of the hospital.

How many people have died?

A total of 10 people have died and more than 30 people have been injured including two police officers, according to the latest update from New Orleans police.

The casualties have been taken to the University Medical Center, Touro Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson Campus, and Ochsner Baptist Campus. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said that two police officers were among the injured by gunfire from the suspect.

A statement from New Orleans authorities read: “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.”

Whit Davis, 22, told CNN he was leaving a nightclub at the time of the attack. “Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit and then it calmed down but they wouldn’t let us leave,” Mr Davis said. “When they finally let us out of the club, police waved us where to walk and were telling us to get out of the area fast. I saw a few dead bodies they couldn’t even cover up and tons of people receiving first aid.”

Who drove the car and was it a terrorist attack?

Police have described the incident as a “terrorist attack”. The identity of the man driving the vehicle and their potential motive is not yet known. Witnesses said he was wearing body armour and carrying an assault rifle. Police are yet to confirm whether he has been arrested or if he was injured.

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.” The FBI initially held back but has now said in a statement that it was heading an investigation “with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”