Fifteen people were killed and dozens more injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in the city’s popular Bourbon Street in the early hours of Wednesday morning, January 1
A warning has been sent to UK travellers heading to the US by the Foreign Office.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has urgently revised its travel advice for those planning on visiting the USA after a shocking outbreak of violence in New Orleans. In the devastating incident, 15 people lost their lives with scores injured when a vehicle was driven into a crowd of revellers.
Authorities reported that the mayhem unfolded on New Year’s Day when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, wielding an Islamic State flag, bypassed police blockades to mow down party-goers celebrating in Bourbon Street. The 42-year-old Texan assailant was gunned down by cops amid suspicions he didn’t act solo.
Brits in the Big Easy are urged to immediately read the new FCDO guidance detailed on Gov.uk as of Wednesday night. It reads: “On 1 January, an individual drove a vehicle into a crowd of people in New Orleans. Any British nationals in need of assistance should call +1 202 588 6500 or visit contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/emergency-help. In the UK, call +44 (0) 20 7008 5000.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said consular officials in the US were available to assist any affected British nationals. “Our hearts go out to the people of New Orleans and to all those affected by this horrific attack. The FBI are now investigating this as a terrorist incident – this is a fast-moving situation, and we continue to wait on further information.”
British tourist Steve Hyde, 44, said he was in a bar in the early hours of New Year’s Day to celebrate his birthday; right by the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street where the car careered into crowds. He told the BBC: “We heard shots and saw people running past the window and didn’t really know what was going on… and then the sirens started. In the hours that followed, a “heartbroken”.
Mr Hyde described the city’s New Year’s festivities that night as similar to “what it is like for Mardi Gras”; a “massive party” made up of “crazy numbers of people”We heard shots and saw people running past the window and didn’t really know what was going on… and then the sirens started.In the hours that followed, a “It’s a bit chaotic (here)… but also at the same time it’s eerily quiet,” he said.
Sir Keir Starmer has joined global leaders in denouncing the “shockingly violent” attack in New Orleans. The Prime Minister expressed his sympathy for the victims, their families, and the broader US population. US President Joe Biden stated that the attacker had uploaded a video prior to the incident, suggesting he was motivated by the so-called Islamic State group.
Condemnation followed later on Wednesday from nations including Britain, France, Germany, and Mexico. Sir Keir stated: “The shockingly violent attack in New Orleans is horrific. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, the emergency responders and the people of the United States at this tragic time.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the attack as “senseless hatred” while French President Emmanuel Macron said: “New Orleans, so dear to the hearts of the French, has been struck by terrorism.”
