A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is aware of the posting and is working to determine its authenticity.
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But a U.S. official said that a Joint Terrorism Task Force, an interagency group of federal, state and local officials, was called to investigate the Chelsea blast, suggesting authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a terror connection.
Police officers and federal agents were scouring the streets with flashlights, robots and dogs early Sunday to ensure there were no other devices in the area.
De Blasio told reporters there was still no evidence pointing to a connection between the explosion in Chelsea and a blast in New Jersey’s Seaside Park at the site of a planned charity run.
The explosion appeared to have come from a construction toolbox in front of a building.
Firefighters are at the scene of a possible building explosion in New York City.
FBI official William Sweeney said federal investigators would be pouring through online traffic, individuals and organizations.
Tannerite, which is often used in target practice to mark a shot with a cloud of smoke and small explosion, is legal to purchase and can be found in many sporting goods stores.
Without a clear motive, police haven’t called the bombing an act of terrorism, and Mayor Bill de Blasio will follow law enforcement’s call, he said at a Sunday press conference.
Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.
The bombing rocked the city’s Chelsea neighborhood, a mostly residential part of Manhattan’s west side known for its art galleries and large gay population. “At this point we do not have any specific evidence of a connection but that will continue to be considered”, de Blasio said.
The Chelsea explosion occurred at about 21:00, outside a residence for blind people on West 23rd St. Several of those injured were brought to area hospitals, Donald, the police spokesman, posted on Twitter.
Earlier Sunday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the bombing didn’t appear to have any link to global terrorism.
Police are advising residents of the block where the device was found to stay away from windows facing 27th Street. He said the second device appeared “similar in design” to the first, but did not provide details.
The Fire Department says the blast was reported shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday on West 23rd Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says there is still no indication an explosion that injured 29 people in Manhattan is linked to worldwide terrorism as investigators scour the scene.
Photos and accounts posted on social media Saturday night showed large crowds – as well as a large law enforcement presence – in the area near where the explosion occurred.
Authorities found a second device in Manhattan a few blocks away from the one that exploded and removed it.
Twenty nine people were injured in Saturday’s blast, though all have since been released from hospital.
Martinez, who suffered injuries to his head and leg, was feeling “pain, a little traumatized”, he said.
CNN law enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes said the information authorities have revealed so far about the blast leads him to a troubling conclusion.
At one event going on in the city on Sunday, Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro celebration, police officers manned crash barriers set up around trash cans.
The explosion rocked the lively Manhattan thoroughfare of 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues at about 8:30 p.m. on September 17.
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President Barack Obama was apprised of the situation, a White House official said.
