A government helpline has been set up for British travellers requiring assistance after a man drove into a crowd of people celebrating the new year in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
At least 15 people died and 35 were reported to be injured in the suspected terrorist attack when the pick-up truck hit revellers in the tourist hotspot of Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The driver, named by investigators as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old former soldier from Texas, exchanged fire with police officers, wounding two, before he was shot dead.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said in updated travel advice: “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.”
Hours after the attack, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven people.
President Joe Biden said investigators were looking into whether the explosion is linked to what happened in New Orleans.
The FBI said it was working with partners “to investigate this as an act of terrorism”.
A statement said: “The FBI continues investigating the horrific attack on innocent victims on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the early morning hours of January 1, 2025.
“The subject has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen from Texas.
“FBI special agents and our law enforcement partners are currently conducting a number of court-authorised search warrants in New Orleans and other states.”