At least 29 people suffered non-life threatening injuries in an explosion which occurred in a crowded Chelsea
neighbourhood in Manhattan on Saturday night. According to the New York Fire Commissioner, Daniel Nigro, one person was seriously injured.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said a second site was being investigated.
"Tonight,
New York City experienced a very bad incident," de Blasio said at a
news conference near the scene. "We have no credible and specific threat
at this moment".
De
Blasio said the blast was not "an intentional act" and tried to calm any
fears among nervous New Yorkers, saying the explosion had no terrorist
connection and wasn’t related to a pipe bomb explosion earlier Saturday
in New Jersey at a charity run.
A law enforcement official said
the explosion appears to have originated from a construction toolbox in front
of a building. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the
person wasn’t authorised to speak about an ongoing investigation, AP reports.
The
blast happened on West 23rd street, in front of a residence for the
blind, near a major thoroughfare with many restaurants. Witnesses say
the explosion at about 8:30 p.m. blew out the windows of businesses and
scattered debris in the area. Officials said no evacuations were
necessary.
Police spokesman J. Peter Donald said several people
were taken to hospitals with injuries. One of the injured suffered a
puncture wound and was considered serious. Officials said the other
injuries were minor, described as scrapes and bruises.
The FBI and Homeland Security officials, along with the ATF arson and explosive task force are also at the scene. The
White House said President Barack Obama has been apprised of the
explosion in New York City and will be updated as additional information
becomes available.
A second device
was found four blocks away on West 27th Street. According to several
local news sources, it was a pressure cooker attached to a mobile phone
by tape with protruding wires.
People
living on West 27TH Street were instructed to stay away from their
windows while the device was investigated. Police, aided by sniffer
dogs, combed refuse bins to ensure there were no other devices.
Reacting
to the blast, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump said: "It
is a terrible thing what's going on in our world, what's going on in our
country, but we are going to get tough and smart and vigilant and we
are going to end it."
The explosion come hours after a pipe bomb went off in
Seaside Park, New Jersey, shortly before thousands of runners
participated in a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors. The device, which only partially detonated caused no
injuries. Authorities are yet to make any connection between the explosion.
Hillary Clinton says she has been briefed about the bombings in New York and New Jersey and the attack in Minnesota.
She says the nation needs to support its first responders and "pray for the victims".
"We have to let this investigation unfold," she said.
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, police said
multiple people were injured at a shopping mall Saturday evening in an
attack that possibly involved both a shooting and stabbing. The suspect
was believed to be dead.
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