Death toll from New Orleans attack rises to 15

The death toll from the attack in New Orleans has risen to fifteen, according to the coroner in the American city. Earlier, local authorities reported ten deaths.

During New Year’s Eve, a man drove a pickup truck at high speed into a crowd of revelers in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, resulting in at least fifteen deaths and dozens of injuries. The suspected perpetrator, who was shot dead by police in a gunfight, was a 42-year-old American veteran residing in neighboring Texas, according to the FBI.

IS flag in the vehicle The FBI considers the incident a terrorist attack and suspects the perpetrator did not act alone. An Islamic State (IS) flag was found in the vehicle.

The FBI has been warning of an increased terrorist threat due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. If it is confirmed that the attacker was inspired by IS, the New Orleans attack would be the deadliest of its kind on American soil in years.

Source: NOS

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