Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

New York City explosion was 'attempted terrorist attack'

A person was arrested at the scene following the incident.

Update 3.25pm

AN EXPLOSION AT the Port Authority bus terminal in New York City has been described as an “attempted terrorist attack” by the city’s mayor.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, City mayor Bill de Blasio said that it was lucky that the suspect didn’t achieve his ultimate goals.

“Let’s be clear, this was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank god the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goal,” de Blasio said.

A 27-year-old man had a crude pipe bomb strapped to him and it went off in a passageway from Seventh and Eighth Avenues near Times Square.

Three people suffered minor non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was also injured and was taken into custody.

The incident happened around 7.30am local time.

Law enforcement officials say he was inspired by the Islamic State, but had apparently not had any direct contact with the terror group.

“The choice of New York is always for a reason. We’re a beacon to the world and we can show that a society with many faiths and many backgrounds can work and we show that democracy works. Our enemies want to undermine that, terrorists want to undermine that,” de Blasio said.

“They yearn to attack New York City but New York is blessed with the finest law enforcement and what our first responders did today is an example of our ability to address a situation quickly, contain it and make sure people are safe.”

Response to the attack

Shortly after the alarm was raised, the city’s official emergency notification system said that emergency personnel were at the scene near west 42nd street between 8th and 9th avenue, and told people to consider alternate routes.

The city’s fire department also confirmed earlier that it was attending the scene, and the New York Police Department said it was “responding to reports of an explosion”.

Nearby subway lines A, C and E were evacuated following the incident, and subways are bypassing Port Authority and Times Square stations. Officials said that they hoped to have normal service resuming by this evening.

The Port Authority is near Times Square in midtown Manhattan.

De Blasio said that no other know incidents or activities are active at this time.

Speaking at the press conference, Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo said: “The first news this morning was obviously very frightening and disturbing. When you hear about a bomb in the subway station, which is in many ways our worst nightmare, but the reality turned out better than the initial expectations and fear.

This is New York, the reality is we are a target to many who would like to make a statement against democracy, against freedom.
The counter reality is this is New York and we all pitched together, we’re savvy people and we keep our eyes open.

The White House has said that President Trump has been briefed on the situation.

With reporting from Hayley Halpin and Associated Press. 

Read: How popular is your name? This handy app from the CSO will help you find out

Read: Taoiseach ‘very happy’ David Davis has clarified his remarks on border Brexit deal

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
109 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross UAE
    Favourite Ross UAE
    Report
    Dec 1st 2014, 8:30 AM

    Poor countries such as Liberia cannot afford the standard of health care provided to and paid for by rich western countries including Ireland, and so long as they are led by corrupt politicians they never will. Any aid given is mostly stolen or wasted and what remains just keeps people alive to face the next crisis which is never too far away. Without complete reform these African countries will remain at the bottom of every human development index, and that reform must come from within as many billions in foreign aid over the past 150 years has changed little except facilitate the replacement of the spear with the AK47. And yes, I have been there.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Plantation Watch
    Favourite Plantation Watch
    Report
    Dec 1st 2014, 8:20 AM

    What is actually being suggested in this article?

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Gyna
    Favourite Anne Gyna
    Report
    Dec 1st 2014, 1:17 PM

    Our own Irish healthcare is hardly 1st World, gold-medal standard either, is it? With all due respect, let’s get our own very ill people off trollies & hard plastic chairs in Ireland’s A&E’s first, before we fret about over-populated countries & their problems.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mac Diarmada
    Favourite Sean Mac Diarmada
    Report
    Dec 1st 2014, 10:16 PM

    “Healthcare medical apartheid is as unacceptable in 2014 as apartheid was ‘back in the day’ in South Africa. There can be no ‘them and us’.”
    Welcome to Ireland 2014.!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phil West
    Favourite Phil West
    Report
    Dec 1st 2014, 10:54 AM

    Healthcare apartheid – welcome to Ireland

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim Stephen Hendy
    Favourite Tim Stephen Hendy
    Report
    Dec 2nd 2014, 2:55 PM

    I’m not seeing where “apartheid” comes into it, except as an odd attempt to draw attention to something by using the word.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds