At least 10 people died and 30 were injured when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd at Bourbon and Canal streets in New Orleans’ French Quarter around 3 a.m. local time, according to city emergency officials.

“The 8th Precinct is currently processing a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that crashed into a large crowd at Canal and Bourbon Streets. There are 30 injured transported by ambulance and 10 deaths. Public safety partners are responding to the scene. Updates will follow as they become available” says the announcement of the official service of the city of NOLA Ready.

According to initial reports, the driver ran into the crowd, then got out of the vehicle and started shooting.

A New Orleans police spokesman told CBS News earlier that “initial reports indicate that a car may have crashed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown, but there are reports of casualties.”

Nola Ready – the city of New Orleans’ emergency management department – is warning residents to avoid the area where the incident occurred.

“There was a mass casualty incident at Canal and Bourbon streets. Move away from the area,” says Nola Ready in a post on X.

Videos circulating on social media show the chaos at the scene and show many victims lying on the ground. Gunshots are heard in the background and people are seen running from the area.

Crowds had gathered in the area to watch an open-air concert and countdown to the New Year, with restaurants offering special deals and performances, according to the city’s official website. The incident occurred hours before New Orleans hosted the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night. The annual college football game draws fans from all over the country. This year’s Sugar Bowl will feature the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame, with the winner advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

THE Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the fatal incident a “horrific act of violence” and asked for prayers for the victims and first responders in a post on X.