The community impacted by the deadly New Year's Eve attack in the U.S. city of New Orleans has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and emphasized togetherness and resilience in their moment of grief.
Memorials for the victims have sprung up across the city to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and those who were injured, including prayer candles bearing their images and murals communicating messages of hope and love.
Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack on historic Bourbon Street in the city's French Quarter, the street was back to business as usual and the popular tourist address reopened to the public. But victim's families and the wider community say they won't forget the devastating start to 2025.
"I think we'll be okay, but it's just another loss for us. I'm saddened. I hate that our city, once again, has another crisis. Well, it will be togetherness as a city coming together. It'll be sad. That's how we come together in tragedy," said a resident.
"It's important for us to get together and to send a message to those families that we are united, we are resilient and somehow we overcome the situation," said another resident.
In the early hours of Wednesday, a man drove a pickup truck into New Year revelers in New Orleans in the southern state of Louisiana, resulting in 15 deaths.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released new details about the investigation on Sunday, including the suspect's whereabouts leading up to the attack.
Current evidence indicates that the suspect acted alone. However, the FBI is looking into potential accomplices, noting that the investigation remains in its early stages.
New Orleans communities call for unity after tragic truck attack
New Orleans communities call for unity after tragic truck attack
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his hope on Saturday that Pakistan and India will exercise restraint and avoid escalating tensions, emphasizing China's readiness to play a constructive role in supporting ceasefire efforts.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held a phone conversation on Saturday with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
As a neighbor of both Pakistan and India, China is concerned about the escalation of the conflict between the two countries, Wang said during the phone conversation.
China believes that Pakistan will respond to the current situation with calm, and make decisions in line with its fundamental and long-term interests, he added.
Dar said that Pakistan is willing to achieve a ceasefire with India but will respond to any acts that violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Noting that Pakistan stands on the front line of the international fight against terrorism and has made significant contributions to counterterrorism, Wang said that China supports Pakistan's continued firm commitment to combating terrorism.
In a phone conversation with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the same day, Wang expressed his hope that India and Pakistan will remain calm and exercise restraint, properly handle their differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalating tensions.
Wang said that China supports and expects India and Pakistan to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, as this aligns with the fundamental interests of both countries and reflects the shared aspirations of the international community.
Wang also said that China condemns the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam area and opposes all forms of terrorism.
Noting that the world is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, Wang said peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished, adding that India and Pakistan are neighbors that cannot be moved away, and that they are both neighbors of China.
Doval stated that the attacks in the Pahalgam area resulted in significant casualties on the Indian side, adding that India must take appropriate counter-terrorism actions.
War is not the choice of the Indian side and is not in the interests of either side, he said, adding that both India and Pakistan will be committed to a ceasefire and look forward to restoring regional peace and stability as soon as possible.
Chinese FM urges India, Pakistan to avoid escalation, affirms willingness to support ceasefire efforts
