An explosion during rush-hour in New York this morning sparked panic among commuters, injuring several people, including the suspect who is now in custody. Speaking at a press conference, NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neill said "At approximately 7:20 ET, in a below ground walkway, police were called to a reported explosion, responding units found an injured 27-year-old male. We have identified him as Akayed Ullah, he had burns and wounds to his body. Investigation at the scene indicates this male was wearing an improvised low-tech explosive device attached to his body.
He intentionally detonated that device. Looks like there are three other people in the vicinity who received injuries, the suspect was placed in custody and was transported to Bellevue Hospital."
Second terrorist incident in New York in 6 weeks
The perpetrator is said to have received burn type injuries, and three other people received minor injuries "which was consistent with being in the scene of an explosion" such as the ringing of the ears and headaches. Thankfully the only person who appears to have received serious injuries in this incident is the suspect. This is the second terrorist incident to rock the Big Apple in the last 6 weeks. Sayfullo Saipov, an immigrant who came to the US back in 2010, killed 8 people and seriously injured 11 others after driving into pedestrians on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan.
The 29year-old Saipov was detained by NYPD officers after they shot him immediately following the attack. This was the deadliest terrorist incident in New York City since the devastating 9/11 attacks of 2001.
The Western World has faced a wave of Islamist attacks this year, and this attempted explosion in New York City during this mornings rush-hour appears to fit into this pattern of ISIS-inspired attacks.
Terrorist attacks have affected both the United Kingdom and Spain this year, killing close to 50 people. Today's explosion is remarkably similar to the Parsons Green bombing which occurred on a West London Tube Train earlier this year. In the Parsons Green incident, a man attempted to detonate a bomb on a packed Tube Train, the bomb luckily failed to properly detonate, although the incident in Parsons Green left 30 people injured.
It has been reported that President Trump has been briefed on today's incident in New York. New York has displayed its famous resilience this morning by carrying on as normal after yet another terrorist incident. Security has been stepped up around the city as many of its residents are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief after what appears to be a huge near-miss for the great city of New York.
