Quebecers visiting New Orleans were able to take stock of the painful aftermath that reigned in one of its popular neighborhoods where a terrorist aboard a ram truck allegedly killed around ten people on New Year’s Eve.
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“For the atmosphere, there was everything”, summarized the Journal Dominique Lévesque, a resident of Saint-Calixte, in Lanaudière.
The Quebecer and her partner, Stéphane Saint-Germain, arrived in New Orleans for their vacation in the hours following the attack in the Vieux Carré (French Quarter). It is the most emblematic tourist district of the city.
Dominique Lévesque and her partner, Stéphane Saint-Germain, arrived for their vacation in the hours following the tragedy. The couple poses here in front of the Saint-Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, a few hundred meters from the scene of the attack.
Photo provided by Dominique Lévesque
“There were partygoers who seemed to go on with their lives as if nothing had happened, lots of tourists who went to see the scene […]really outraged people who had sadness in their eyes,” described the 53-year-old woman.
More than 24 hours after the tragedy, the police were still deploying significant resources to ensure the safety of passers-by. Drones were also flying over the area, according to AFP.
“There are still a lot of police cars, there is the army. There were even more personnel on site than [mercredi]”, stressed Mme Lévesque.
An army vehicle in front of a group of media in New Orleans.
Photo provided by Dominique Lévesque
No more traces
The authorities also did a major clean-up of Bourbon Street, this mecca of nightlife in New Orleans, after having received the green light from investigators.
-“They removed all traces of what had happened,” said Dominique Lévesque.
The ram vehicle, used by the suspect to rush towards the victims, was removed.
Some streets were blocked by police.
Photo provided by Dominique Lévesque
A black cleaning truck sprayed the roadway with water as city workers placed new barriers at the entrance to the street, normally open only to pedestrian traffic during the holiday periods.
Tourists, curious people, but also American football supporters who had come for the Sugar Bowl strolled through the neighborhood.
This university sports event brings together some 85,000 fans each year.
A large crowd was expected for the match at Caesars Superdome on Thursday evening. It was to take place on 1is January, but was postponed by 24 hours due to circumstances.
Get up
“The people I see want to continue [à vivre normalement] and not let yourself be defeated by these events. They want to stay strong,” underlined Montrealer Thuan Dao, in an interview with LCN.
He was visiting Louisiana for New Year’s Eve and happened to be on the street targeted by the suspect, just hours before he arrived there.
“When I woke up, I had lots of texts from friends and family asking if I was okay and that’s when I found out there had been an attack,” he said.
– With AFP
