The FBI are investigating an incident which left at least 10 people dead and 35 people injured as an "act of terrorism".

At approximately 3.15am local time, a vehicle crashed into a crowd celebrating the New Year on a corner in New Orleans' famous Bourbon Street.

The FBI have confirmed that the suspect is now dead.

Statement from the FBI on the situation in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/B3TskTJyUc

— FBI (@FBI) January 1, 2025

New Orleans Police Department superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver of the vehicle was "trying to run over as many people as he could."

"He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage that he did," she said.

Two officers were shot, but both are currently in a stable condition in hospital.

'Mass casualty incident'

The city's emergency preparedness campaign, NOLA, managed by New Orleans Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, said earlier on Wednesday there had been a "mass casualty incident".

"The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street," NOLA said.

"Public safety partners are responding on scene."

They warned people to "get yourself away from the area".

New Orleans city councilman Oliver Thomas said authorities are searching for a motive.

Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the incident as a "terrorist attack" and said she has been in direct contact with the White House.

President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the incident.

FBI special agent Alethea Duncan said "improvised explosive devices" were found in the area and checks were being carried out to see if the devices were "viable".

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.

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 1, 2025

In a post on X, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry said he was "praying for all the victims and first responders on scene".

He called the incident a "horrific act of violence".

Officials said to help keep the peace, the police department would be staffed at 100% and it would draft in another 300 officers.

Bourbon Street is a popular tourist area in the city, famous for its many bars and clubs.

Reporting by IRN.

Feature image: Emergency services attend the scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025.