At least 10 people have been killed and 30 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon streets in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said it was “a terrorist attack”.

The victims have been taken to five hospitals across the city.

The city’s emergency preparedness agency, NOLA Ready, told people to stay away from the area.

The incident came towards the end of new year celebrations and hours before the kickoff of the AllState Bowl, a college football quarter-final held in the city’s Caesars Superdome, with thousands expected to be in attendance.

‘Everyone started yelling and screaming’

Witnesses have told of the horror scenes and hearing possible gunshots as the drama unfolded.

“All I seen was a truck slamming into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk,” said Kevin Garcia, 22, speaking to CNN shortly after the incident.

“A body came flying at me,” he said, adding that he also heard gunshots being fired.

Another witness, 22-year-old Whit Davis from Shreveport, Louisiana, told CNN the incident occurred while she was at a nightclub on Bourbon Street.

“Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit and then it calmed down but they wouldn’t let us leave,” Davis said.

“When they finally let us out of the club, police waved us where to walk and were telling us to get out of the area fast. I saw a few dead bodies they couldn’t even cover up and tons of people receiving first aid.”

Police told people on the scene to put their phones away and leave as soon as possible, Davis said.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the incident a “horrific act of violence”.

“Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene,” he wrote on X.

“I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”

New Orleans – and specifically the French Quarter, the city’s vibrant historic centre where Bourbon Street is located – was still in the throes of New Year’s celebrations when the vehicle ran into a crowd early Wednesday.

Crowds had gathered to attend an open-air concert and New Year’s countdown, with restaurants offering special deals and performances, according to the city’s official website.

LGBTQ parties featuring dancing and drag cabaret were taking place elsewhere on Bourbon Street, the heart of the city’s gay community – just blocks from where the incident took place.

Many celebrations had been aimed at college football fans descending on the city for the Allstate Sugar Bowl, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday — including a parade that had taken place on Tuesday.

– Reported with CNN and Associated Press