29 injured in deliberate New York bomb blast

Twenty-nine people were injured in an explosion in Manhattan on Saturday night, with authorities removing a second suspicious device that was discovered just streets away.
Police arrive on the scene of an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhoodPolice arrive on the scene of an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood
Police arrive on the scene of an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called the blast in the Chelsea area an “intentional act” but said there was no terrorist connection.

He said: “Tonight, New York City experienced a very bad incident. We have no credible and specific threat at this moment. “

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Mr De Blasio tried to calm any fears among New Yorkers, saying the explosion had no terrorist connection and was not related to a pipe bomb explosion earlier on Saturday in New Jersey at a charity run.

It was unclear who was behind the blast and what motivated it.

A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that a second device officers investigated four streets from the scene appeared to be a pressure cooker attached to wiring and a cellphone.

The source said the device was found inside a plastic bag on West 27th Street.

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The device was removed with a robot and taken to the department firing range in the Bronx, officials said.

The law enforcement official also said the explosion appears to have come from a construction toolbox in front of a building. Photos from the scene show a twisted and crumpled black metal box.

The blast happened on West 23rd street, in front of a residence for the blind, near a major thoroughfare with many restaurants and a Trader Joe’s supermarket.

Witnesses say the explosion at about 8.30pm blew out the windows of businesses and scattered debris in the area. Officials said no evacuations were necessary.

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Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said several people were taken to hospitals with injuries. One of the injured suffered a puncture wound that was considered serious. He said the other injuries were minor, described as scrapes and bruises.

When officers were investigating the second site, police spokesman J Peter Donald tweeted a warning to residents to stay away from windows facing 27th Street.

A number of New York City subway routes were affected by the explosion, which rattled some New Yorkers just weeks after the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Chris Gonzalez, visiting from Dallas, was having dinner with friends at a restaurant in the area.

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“We felt it, we heard it, the restaurant went real quiet,” the 26-year-old said. “It wasn’t like jolting or anything, everyone just went quiet.”

The White House said President Barack Obama has been apprised of the explosion and will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Hillary Clinton says she has been briefed “about the bombings in New York and New Jersey”.

Donald Trump moved ahead of New York City officials when he declared a “bomb went off” in the city before officials had released details.

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The report of the blast came hours after a pipe bomb exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, shortly before thousands of runners were to participate in a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors. The race was cancelled and no injuries were reported.