Video
'Everybody off the street'
Harrowing screams of terrified woman heard as footage shows aftermath of bomb blast
Authorities have called the attack an “intentional act”
A WOMAN lets out a blood curdling scream in panic moments after a bomb explosion ripped through a posh neighbourhood in New York last night.
This terrifying footage, posted on Twitter, shows the aftermath of the senseless blast which has shocked the area of Chelsea in America’s most populated city.
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Filmed on a resident’s smartphone, the video shows the street covered in glass and emergency service vehicles parked on the streets while people walk around in stunned silence.
However, one woman, who is lying on the ground can be heard screaming and crying immediately after the explosion which has injured 29 people.
The woman is helped to her feet before a police officer can be heard shouting: “Everybody off the street.”
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The man filming is asked by another bystander: “Did you see what it was?”
The cameraman replies: “No. I was in my apartment, but I didn't see. It looks like it hit a couple different areas or something.”
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has said there is "no evidence at this point of a terror connection" and there is no "credible and specific threat" to New York City.
The explosion ripped through West 23rd Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, close to the Flatiron building and Madison Square Park.
CCTV footage of the moment of the explosion shows panicked passers-by fleeing from the scene.
A second device, found in 27th Street and Sixth Avenue, was a pressure cooker whichhas been removed by authorities
The device was wrapped in a plastic bag with what appears to be a cell phone or timer attached to it.
Police have confirmed the device, which reportedly had a note attached to it, has been removed from the area.
The New York Police Counterterrorism Bureau has shared an image on Twitter showing a damaged dustbin.
Unconfirmed reports have suggested the blast went off in the dustbin.
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Officials have said 29 people were injured in the explosion - one seriously.
Most of the victims suffered cuts and other minor injuries from glass and other flying debris.
The explosion, was described by one neighbour as “deafening,” happened outside an Associated Blind Housing facility.
The facility provides housing, training and other services for the blind.
Multiple emergency vehicles, including ambulances, rushed to the scene.
Emily Brookstein, 30, told the Mail Online: “I was eating at the restaurant Mira with my family and we heard a huge noise and the entire restaurant shook.
“My dad thought it was thunder but we obviously realised later that wasn't the case. We came out of the restaurant and could see smoke.”
Tsi Tsi Mallett was driving along 23rd Street at the time of the explosion.
She told the Daily Mail: “It was really loud, it hurt my eardrums. My 10-year-old boy was sat in the back seat of the car, and the explosion blew the back window out.”
Her son was not injured.
Police officers and medical services were seen pushing bystanders away from the area and diverting traffic.
In a bulletin the authorities warned anyone travelling in the vicinity to “expect extensive traffic delays and emergency personnel in the area” due to police activity.
“It was a quiet night, and then I heard this deafening boom,” said Jakir Aussin, who works at a Dunkin Donuts at 23rd and Sixth Avenue.
“My first thought was, ‘Oh god, a bomb,’ so I got down on the floor.”
He added “I looked outside and it’s all broken glass, car alarms going off — I still don’t know what happened."
Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said: “24 victims have been transported to hospitals with abrasions” from the explosion but all injuries are not life-threatening.
It is understood an eight-year-old was among the injured.
Investigators have said they are reviewing footage showing a person standing close to the site of the incident.
Mr de Blasio urged witnesses who took footage of the blast to send it to NYPD.
He also said there is no evidence the blast was linked to a pipe bomb explosion in neighbouring New Jersey hours earlier.
No one was injured in the blast in Seaside Park, which came shortly before thousands of runners were due to take part in a charity race.
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President Barack Obama is being briefed as the situation unfolds.
Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both spoken since the blast.
Mrs Clinton said: “We need to do everything we can to support our first responders. We have to pray for the victims
“We have been in touch with authorities in New York City. And I will have more to say about it when we have more information.”
Mr Trump said: “A bomb went off in New York and no one knows what's going on. We've got to get very tough folks.”
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has released a statement saying: “State officials are coordinating our response with federal and New York City authorities, and full State resources have been made available for this investigation.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and urge New Yorkers to, as always, remain calm and vigilant.”
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