Car slams into Louisiana Lao New Year parade, injuring about 15 people
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- Approximately 15 people were injured when a car struck participants at the Lao New Year parade in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, with several victims seriously hurt according to local authorities.
- The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office indicated that the incident does not appear to be intentional based on preliminary investigations.
- Emergency response included 10 ambulances and two medical helicopters, with 11 people transported by ground and two airlifted to hospitals for urgent care.
- The annual Louisiana Lao New Year Festival, held in New Iberia, was disrupted; Saturday’s musical events were canceled while vendors remained open until 9pm, and plans for Sunday include limited reopening focused on religious services.
- The Lao community in Louisiana, including the Lanexang Village neighborhood in New Iberia, has historical roots linked to refugees fleeing Laos after the Vietnam War and the communist takeover in 1975.
