Eastern time. The New York Police Department’s bomb squad and counterterrorism units responded to the scene, along with other officers and emergency medical services.
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Explosions in New Jersey and New York on Saturday quickly drew the involvement of FBI terrorism investigators, as the latter blast injured dozens and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio insisted there was no terror threat against the Big Apple.
De Blasio said investigators believe there was “no specific connection” to a pipe bomb explosion hours earlier in a trash can in New Jersey.
Authorities said “extensive search” is being conducted in the area and the neighbourhood and ruled out gas as the reason for the explosion.
Police and firefighters are at the scene of a possible explosion in New York City.
Remaining circumspect about the exact nature of the actual explosion, De Blasio said early indications were that it was “an intentional act”.
Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security officers are at the scene, a local councillor said. Police had warned residents on West 27th St, between 6th and 7th Avenues, to stay away from their windows as they “clear the suspicious package”.
The source said the device was found inside a plastic bag on West 27th Street. She said the restaurant went quiet.
An investigation is underway and 23rd street was cordoned off. “A full investigation is under way”, De Blasio said.
The New Jersey explosion was set for the moment that thousands of runners would be passing the can – but there were no casualties because the race was delayed, said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County prosecutor. His chair and table shook and he saw people being taken away in ambulances. We better get very, very tough. Then we could smell smoke.
Others did not hear the explosion but saw the aftermath.
‘I was eating at the restaurant Mira with my family and we heard a huge noise and the entire restaurant shook, ‘ Emily Brookstein, 30, of NY told Daily Mail Online.
Officials said the NYPD has video it is reviewing and De Blasio urged any witnesses or people who may have information to come forward.
“I must tell you that just before I got off the plane, a bomb went off in NY and nobody knows exactly what’s going on”, Trump said at a rally in Colorado Springs.
“Just before I got off the plane, a bomb went off in NY and nobody knows exactly what’s going on”, Trump said.
NYPD Commisoner James O’Neill says there have been 29 injured as a result of the explosion.
The cellphone photo taken on September 17, 2016 shows policemen on duty near the site of an explosion in NY, the United States. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Saturday, while President Obama is scheduled to head to the city on Monday.
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James O’Neill, who took over as NY police chief only on Saturday after his predecessor resigned, described the explosion as “large” and said it happened outside 131 West 23rd Street at 8:30pm.
