The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance for the USA following a horrific attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. US authorities said 15 people were killed and dozens more injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in the city’s popular Bourbon Street in the early hours of Wednesday morning, January 1.
The FBI said US army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, from Texas, was driving a pick-up truck that bore the flag of the Islamic State group which steered around a police blockade and slammed into New Year’s Eve revellers. The driver, who was shot dead by police, is not thought to have acted alone, the FBI said.
A new FCDO alert was added to the USA travel information page on Gov.uk on Wednesday evening, advising UK nationals in need of assistance in New Orleans of how they can get help. The update reads: “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.”
Sir Keir Starmer has joined other world leaders in condemning the “shockingly violent” attack. The Prime Minister said his thoughts with were with the victims, their loved ones and the wider US.