The streets of New York are on high alert after an explosion in the Chelsea area of Manhattan happened Saturday (Sept. 17) evening. Mayor Bill de Blasio called the bombing an “intentional act” and Gov. Andrew Cuomo says there currently no signs connecting the incident to an international act of terrorism.
“At this time there is no evidence of an international terrorism connection with this incident, but it is very, very early in the investigation,” he said during Sunday’s (Sept. 18) press conference, The New York Times reports. “This is one of the nightmare scenarios,” he said. “We really were very lucky that there were no fatalities.”
Video shows moment of IED Explosion at W 23 St & 6th Ave in Manhattan pic.twitter.com/O270bZWOzF
— New York City Alerts (@NYCityAlerts) September 18, 2016
The explosion happened Saturday evening shortly after 8:30 p.m. on West 23rd Street. Two homemade pressure cooker bombs were found by police. One was placed in a dumpster while the other was found on West 27th Street between the Avenue of Americas and Seventh Avenue three hours after the first detonation.
BREAKING PHOTO! Here is the second device found by a NYSP Sgt. At 27 street and 7 Ave. investigation is ongoing pic.twitter.com/x7o9Rr30I3
— New York City Alerts (@NYCityAlerts) September 18, 2016
The second device was taken to the department’s firing range where it will be inspected by robots. CNN reports the device featured colored wiring, bound together with duct tape and a cell phone. A piece of paper was also found close to the device.
Many of the injures stemmed from shrapnel and all 29 victims have been released from the hospital. Gov. Cuomo told reporters damages to buildings included shattered windows and flying debris. The device holds the same tools used in the devastating acts of the 2013 Boston Bombing. Police also confirmed the incident in Chelsea was not connected to a garbage bomb that went off before a Marine Corps race in New Jersey earlier that day.
For now, 14th Street to 32nd Street will be closed as well as eastbound and westbound traffic between Fifth and Eighth Avenues. A motive hasn’t been determined in the bombing. “Whatever the cause,” Mr. de Blasio said, “New Yorkers will not be intimidated.”