UK travellers headed across the pond have been hit with an urgent travel update from the Foreign Office.
Following the harrowing chain of events in New Orleans where a shocking act of violence took the lives of 15 individuals, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has swiftly revamped its guidance for those intending a trip to America.
The abhorrent attack on New Year’s Day saw revellers plowed down by a vehicle in Bourbon Street, as driver Shamsud-Din Jabbar, displaying an Islamic State banner, evaded police barricades and left scores injured. Jabbar, 42 from Texas, was eventually shot dead by law enforcement officials who suspect that he may have had accomplices.
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The latest directive from the FCDO, updated Wednesday night and accessible on Gov.uk, communicates a stark warning for Brits in the Big Easy: “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.”
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, extended his sincerest sympathies to those touched by the tragedy and confirmed that consular staff in the States stand ready to help any Britons involved. He further noted: “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, was celebrating his birthday in a bar near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street when a car ploughed into crowds on New Year’s Day. 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 ” In the aftermath, he described the scene as “a bit chaotic… but also at the same time it’s eerily quiet.”, reports the Mirror.
The city’s New Year’s festivities were likened to “what it is like for Mardi Gras”; a “massive party” with “crazy numbers of people”.
Sir Keir Starmer joined global leaders in condemning the “shockingly violent” attack in New Orleans. Expressing sympathy for the victims and their families, the Prime Minister said: “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.”
US President Joe Biden revealed that the attacker had uploaded a video prior to the incident, suggesting links to the so-called Islamic State group.
Condemnation followed from nations including Britain, France, Germany, and Mexico.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labelled the attack as “senseless hatred”, while French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sorrow, stating: “New Orleans, so dear to the hearts of the French, has been struck by terrorism.”
(Image: AP)
(Image: MATTHEW HINTON/AFP via Getty Images)