New York City Police said on December 11 that they were investigating an explosion of “unknown origin” in busy downtown Manhattan, and that people were being evacuated.
A law enforcement official says what is believed to be an explosive device has been set off on Manhattan subway platform. The official said that a man had an explosive device strapped on when it exploded.
The explosion happened around 7.30 a.m. on December 11. Details were still developing. A person was arrested and has non-life-threatening injuries.
There was no immediate word of any other injuries.
Update regarding explosion at 42nd St and 8th Ave, in subway: One male suspect is in custody. No injuries other than suspect at this time. Avoid the area. Subways bypassing #PortAuthority and Times Square Stations. Info is preliminary. pic.twitter.com/bEAdjq8mYc
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017
Passengers were evacuated as a precaution from the subway line where the explosion happened, near 40th Street and Eighth Avenue.
Media reports said at least one person had been detained after the blast near the Port Authority transit terminal, close to Times Square.
Early media reports said the blast came from a pipe bomb, and that several people were injured.
“The NYPD is responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin at 42nd Street and 8th Ave, #Manhattan. The A, C and E line are being evacuated at this time. Info is preliminary, more when available,” the New York police department wrote on their Twitter account.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the explosion, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Twitter.
