Mayor says the explosion in Chelsea is ‘not yet’ linked to terrorism; another site with pressure cooker, wires found
Crime scene investigators work at the scene of the explosion in Chelsea, New York. Pic/AP
New York: A powerful explosion yesterday rocked New York’s upscale Chelsea neighbourhood injuring 29 people, in what Mayor Bill de Blasio said was an “intentional act”, hours before world leaders descend here for the UN General Assembly session. Later in the day, the police also found a pressure cooker with wires nearby.
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The explosion — which came hours after a pipe bomb went off in a garbage can in New Jersey — occurred in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighbourhood at 23rd St. and 6th Avenue, a busy residential and commercial area at around 8:30 pm yesterday.
President Barack Obama, who is to visit the city for the UNGA session beginning today, has been apprised of the explosion, a White House official said.
de Blasio said the number of people injured is now at 29, but that none is life threatening except one who is in “serious” condition. The Mayor said the city “experienced a very serious incident” and added, “There is no specific and credible threat at this time from any terror organisation.” A second Manhattan site is under investigation, de Blasio added.
New York City’s one-day old Police Commissioner James O Neill said that the “exact cause of the explosion has not yet been determined” and personnel from the police department, FBI, bomb squad and counter-terrorism departments are on the scene. Authorities also ruled out gas as the reason for the explosion.
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