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
China has pledged additional emergency humanitarian aid to Myanmar following the devastating earthquake, aimed at supporting ongoing relief efforts with a focus on urgent needs such as medical supplies and reconstruction, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian announced on Thursday.
During a press briefing in Beijing, Lin outlined the details of the aid and summarized China's immediate involvement in the search and rescue operations following the March 28 earthquake.
"Since the outbreak of the earthquake, Chinese rescue forces have rallied around and saved lives against time. China was the first country that announced emergency assistance to Myanmar, sent rescue forces to the country, and set up settlement centers in the affected areas. The Chinese rescue team found the first trapped survivor. More than 30 rescue teams of over 600 members rushed to Myanmar for rescue work and we offered several batches of supplies, which demonstrates China's speed, contribution and kindness. This is warmly welcomed and appreciated by the people in Myanmar," said Lin.
Lin also emphasized the significance of the "pauk-phaw" friendship -- a Myanmar term for siblings - in the context of China's ongoing support.
"Myanmar's disaster response work has moved to epidemic prevention and control, as well as recovery and reconstruction. As a friendly neighbor and 'pauk-phaw' brother, China has decided to send another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies, which include the most needed refined oil, prefabricated houses, operating rooms, medicines, and vaccines. China will also dispatch medical and epidemic prevention experts for treatment and disinfection, as well as experts to examine, assess, reinforce, and repair affected buildings and cultural relics. A merciless disaster brings the best out of humanity. China will continue to promote the China-Myanmar 'pauk-phaw' friendship and, upholding the spirit of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, help the people in Myanmar overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes," Lin added.
The earthquake, which struck Mandalay on March 28, has claimed 3,649 lives, injured 5,018 people, and left 145 missing, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council on Wednesday.
China to provide additional emergency aid to Myanmar following earthquake: spokesman
