An explosion of “intentional” origin last night. The explosion sounded around 8:30 p.m. local (2:30 a.m. in Paris), in a very lively district of New York and at a rush hour in the many bars and restaurants. The toll is 29 injured.
A suspicious object found nearby. After the explosion, the demining services intervened on a suspicious device discovered on 27th Street, a few blocks from the site of the explosion. The object could be removed. According to several American media citing members of the police, it is a pressure cooker. A photo presented as that of the object is released and shows wires coming out of the container connected to what appears to be a cell phone.
No “terrorist link” for the moment. While referring to an “intentional” act, the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, stressed that “there is no evidence at this stage of a terrorist link for this incident”. However, the anti-terrorism services quickly intervened on the scene. The New York police chief also indicates that no link has been established, at this stage, between the explosion and that which occurred earlier in the day in New Jersey.
We do not know, for the moment:
The cause of the explosion. No details were given on a possible explosive object at the origin of the explosion. New York police, however, released a photo showing a dumpster that visibly exploded, without giving further details.
If several areas were actually targeted. The discovery of a second suspicious object very close to the area of the explosion suggests that it could be a concerted action. However, there is no specific element given by the authorities to confirm this.
If suspects are wanted or identified. No communication has been made on this point other than that it is an “intentional” act. Some testimonies evoke video images showing a man near the deposited object but none of them has yet been verified or confirmed.
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