At least 10 people dead and 30 injured as car plows into New Year's Eve crowd in New Orleans

At least 10 people have died and 30 are injured after a car plowed into a crowd of New Year's Eve revelers in New Orleans' French Quarter.

New Orleans’ emergency preparedness agency, NOLA, confirmed it is dealing with a mass casualty incident in the Bourbon Street area, which took place at around 3AM local time.

NOLA said in a statement: "The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street.

"Public safety partners are responding on scene."

They had earlier warned people to "get yourself away from the area" in the wake of the incident.

Earlier on Tuesday, Police had said they expected that the city would be busy as locals and visitors traveled to the popular destination to celebrate the new year.

The city was hours from the annual Allstate Sugar Bowl college American football game, which also attracts thousands of people.

Police had confirmed it would be staffed at 100 percent and would be drafting in an extra 300 officers to keep the peace.

Witnesses claimed to CBS News that a truck had crashed into the crowd at high speed before the driver got out and started firing a weapon, prompting police to return fire.

Bourbon Street is a popular destination with tourists and locals alike, Credit: John Coletti/Getty Images

In footage shared online from the scene, gunfire can be heard in the background as members of the public ran from the area.

The injured have been transported to hospitals nearby, with officials warning that the death toll could potentially rise.

Further details are expected to be shared in due course.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.

Featured image credit: kali9/Getty Images