At least 29 injured in New York blast
INTENTIONAL ACT Authorities removed a second explosive device in Manhattan
A powerful explosion injured 29 people on Saturday evening in a crowded part of Manhattan, New York, and an unexploded device made using a pressure cooker similar to the one used by the Boston bombers in 2013 was discovered from the same area.
Authorities called the explosion “an intentional act” but based on preliminary investigations ruled out any links to terrorism.
They also would not say if they suspected the two explosives were planted by the same person or people.
The White House said in a brief statement that President Barack Obama had been briefed about the New York explosion, which took place around the time he spoke to US Congress’s black caucus in DC, which also hosted the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
“Whatever the cause (of the explosion),” New York City mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters, “New Yorkers will not be intimidated.”
And, though always prepared for an attack since 9/11 and the foiled attempt at Times Square in 2010, New Yorkers were indeed not intimidated.
“It was just a burning dump- ster like you see around the city,” an eyewitness told a local TV news channel. Others tweeted about how it was just another Saturday night.
Both the presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton commented on the attacks, with the Republican calling it a bomb explosion even before investigators came to that conclusion. He went on to say it was time for the US to get “tough”.
Clinton was more circum- spect and said it would be “wiser to wait until you have information before making conclusions”.
BOMB BLAST AHEAD OF RACE IN NEW JERSEY
A pipe bomb exploded in a New Jersey shore town on Sunday shortly before thousands of runners were to participate in a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors, authorities said.
No injuries were reported in the blast in Seaside Park, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.
The FBI has taken over as the lead agency in the investigation. Officials would not say whether they believe the incident was terror-related or if they suspected participants in the run were targeted.
The race was to start shortly before the blast occurred, but got delayed due to a large number of registrations.