At least 10 people died and over 30 injured after a suspected terrorist plowed into the crowd of revelers celebrating New Year’s Eve festivities in New Orleans’ well-known French Quarter.
FBI brokers are actually main the investigation into the case suspected terrorist attack on Bourbon Street round 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as folks celebrated the beginning of the brand new 12 months.
In addition to ringing within the New Year, tens of hundreds of University of Georgia and Notre Dame followers descended on New Orleans to look at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, certainly one of this 12 months’s College Football Playoff video games. At 2pm native time, a parade was held within the French Quarter with marching bands, floats and dance teams winding by way of the French Quarter.
The parade helped kick off town’s New Year’s Eve festivities, in addition to the massive meet on the Caesers Superdome, which was scheduled to start Wednesday evening.
However, with the FBI investigating the incident and the general public being instructed to steer clear of Bourbon Street because it has now turn into a grisly crime scene, will the sport nonetheless go as deliberate?
What is the state of the sport?
As of now, the sport remains to be scheduled to be performed on Wednesday evening, with kickoff set for 7.45pm native time at Caesars Superdome.
Jeff Hundley, CEO of the Sugar Bowl, stated Wednesday morning that the sport committee was nonetheless speaking with native and federal officers in regards to the standing of the extremely anticipated contest.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the horrible occasions that occurred early this morning,” Hundley stated in an announcement. “Our ideas and prayers are with the victims and their households. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the native, state and federal ranges and can talk extra particulars as they turn into obtainable.”
Officials say Sugar Bowl will go forward as deliberate regardless of New Year’s Eve terrorist assault (Getty Images)
What did the officers say?
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated at a information convention Wednesday morning that she needs town and its guests to “proceed to get pleasure from” New Orleans regardless of the horrific assault.
“We’re going to verify our paths and our Superdome are secure at this time for the sport, and but we had this tragic occasion and we’re sorry to everybody, however we wish you to go about your day, keep off Bourbon Street,” he stated.
The NFL additionally launched an announcement following the tragedy. The Sugar Bowl will likely be performed at Caesars Superdome, the place the Sugar Bowl may also be held.
“We are deeply saddened by the information of the devastating accident in New Orleans. Our ideas are with the victims, the New Orleans group and all these affected. The NFL and the native host committee have labored collaboratively with native, state and federal businesses over the previous two years and have developed complete security plans,” the league stated. “These planning periods will proceed as they do with all main NFL occasions, and we’re assured that attendees can have a secure and fulfilling Super Bowl expertise.”
Who’s enjoying?
The 91st annual Sugar Bowl will characteristic the SEC champion and No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
This recreation is a quarterfinal matchup of the College Football Playoff, which is in its first 12 months with an expanded 12-team format. Notre Dame beat the Indiana Hoosiers within the first spherical to face the Bulldogs, who acquired a bye.
The winner of this recreation will advance to the semifinals subsequent week to face No. 1 Penn State. 6 on the Orange Bowl in Miami Lakes, Florida.
Police automobiles are exterior Caesars Superdome hours after 10 folks had been killed in New Orleans following a terrorist assault (Getty Images)
Other bowl video games reply
The Tournament of Roses and town of Pasadena, California, forward of Wednesday’s Rose Parade and Rose Bowl, stated in an announcement Wednesday that they “prolong our deepest condolences to the folks of Louisiana and town of New Orleans following the tragic occasions of this morning.” .”
Adding that it stands “in solidarity with your complete state throughout this troublesome time,” Pasadena reassured guests and followers that town goes by way of months of preparation for the New Year’s Eve parade and has “harsh car shutdowns alongside your complete parade route.” parade along with very strong car boundaries at intersections.”
The Atlanta Police Department additionally responded by noting that it’ll enhance safety forward of Wednesday’s Peach Bowl.
“We acknowledge the issues raised following this morning’s occasions in New Orleans, LA. Prior to the Peach Bowl, the Atlanta Police Department had already applied elevated safety measures, together with the deployment of extra officers,” the division stated. “In mild of at this time’s developments and as a further precaution, specialised models and extra personnel will likely be additional deployed to the Downtown and Midtown areas to make sure the continued security and safety of residents and guests.”
