Manhattan Explosion Not Believed To Be Linked To International Terrorism

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An explosion occurred in Manhattan on Saturday night, injuring 29 people and reportedly causing extensive property damage in the area. While the incident is still under investigation, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it does “not appear to be linked to international terrorism.”

The explosion was from what authorities believe to be a homemade bomb near 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue, and a second explosive device was found a few blocks away. A police source told the New York Times that the second device was a pressure cooker that looked like the one from the Boston Marathon bombing, and it failed to detonate. According to the Times, Cuomo said the two devices from Saturday night appeared to be similar.

The Times reports that Cuomo said all of those injured have been released from the hospital, calling the blast “one of the nightmare scenarios” in which “we really were very lucky that there were no fatalities.”

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NBC News reports that Cuomo said Sunday that “a bomb exploding in New York is obviously an act of terrorism”—just not international terrorism. NBC News reports that the Cuomo clarified Mayor Bill de Blasio’s statement from Saturday night that the incident was not an act of terrorism, saying that “a bomb going off is generically a terrorist activity.” The international part, Cuomo said, there is currently no evidence for.

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De Blasio later reiterated that there was no evidence of international terrorism in the news conference above. But Cuomo did say the device was a “powerful bomb designed to kill,” according to the Times.

World leaders will be in New York for an annual meeting of the United Nation’s General Assembly this week, and the Times reports that de Blasio said security would be higher across the city. From the Times:

New York Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said that given that there was bombing in the city and no suspect in custody, all New Yorkers should be particularly vigilant.

“I am concerned,” Mr. O’Neill said. But he vowed that “this violent criminal act is going to be solved.”

Mr. Cuomo said there did not appear to be an ongoing threat to the city but in an abundance of caution he was ordering an additional 1,000 State Police officers and National Guard members to be dispatched to major commuter hubs.

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In stating that there is currently no evidence of the incident being linked to international terrorism, the Times reports that Cuomo also said it was still early in the investigation. Those behind the placement of the bombs, Cuomo said, will be found and “brought to justice.”