Multiple people dead as vehicle ploughs into crowd in New Orleans

At least 10 people dead and 30 left injured after an SUV allegedly plowed into crowds celebrating New Year on a popular party street in New Orleans.

The driver rammed into a large group near the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street on Wednesday around 3.15am local time, city officials have confirmed.

Witnesses claim the suspect was ‘wearing full body armor’ and ‘armed with an assault rifle’, according to reports on social media.

Dozens of police officers have responded to the incident and a portion of the road has been cordoned off. Paramedics, ambulances and vehicles from the coroner’s office have also been seen at the scene. 

The 30 wounded have been transported to area hospitals, the city added.

Multiple people are feared dead after an SUV allegedly plowed into crowds celebrating New Year on Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, in the New Orleans French Quarter

Dozens of police officers have responded to the scene and a portion of the road has been cordoned off

A man, who claimed to witness the incident while on Bourbon Street with his wife, wrote on X that he saw an SUV ‘speeding’ down the road and ‘running people over’. 

Another alleged witness told WLWT that she saw the vehicle strike the crowd and started running, claiming she only escaped ‘by the grace of god’.

The woman also claimed that multiple officers opened fire at the vehicle, trying to get the driver to stop, the TV news station reported. 

Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, has reportedly been shut down while investigators work the scene.

DailyMail.com has contacted New Orleans Police Department for more information.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.