New York subway shut down after suicide attack
▶ Officers said four people were injured when the improvised bomb, strapped to the suspect’s body, exploded
An attempted suicide bombing in a subway near Times Square threw New York into commuter chaos at the height of the morning rush hour yesterday. The device exploded prematurely, injuring three people and the suspect. Three subway lines were closed after the 7.30am blast. City officials said Akayed Ullah, 27, had been arrested.
New York police beefed up security around the city yesterday after a man apparently inspired by ISIL detonated a bomb strapped to his body in a passageway linking subway platforms near Times Square.
Officers said four people were injured when the improvised bomb exploded during the morning rush hour.
The alleged attacker, identified by police as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, was in custody at a hospital last night, undergoing treatment for burns and other wounds.
James O’Neill, New York Police Department commissioner, said: “Preliminary investigation at the scene indicates this male was wearing an improvised, low-tech explosive device attached to his body. He intentionally detonated that device.”
City officials said they believed he acted alone and that there was no further threat.
The city was already on high alert for terrorist attacks after eight people were killed when another ISIL-inspired attacker ploughed a rented van into cyclists on a bike path in October. At this time of year, tourists throng the city’s shopping streets in the build-up to Christmas.
Bill Bratton, the city’s former police commissioner, said officers believed the suspect in yesterday’s attack was born in Bangladesh and had lived in the United States for seven years. He said the device was apparently detonated in the name of ISIL.
“So, definitely a terrorist attack, definitely intended,” he told MSNBC.
Reports suggested the suspect had assembled the bomb at the electrical company where he worked. His Brooklyn home and workplace were being searched for evidence of terrorist links.
The explosion, which happened at about 7.20am, set off a huge emergency response, bringing the city’s busy transport system to a halt at a major passenger interchange including subway routes and the Port Authority bus terminal.
Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said president Donald Trump had been briefed on the explosion.
Commuters described hearing the blast echo through the area.
Francisco Ramirez said he heard two bangs.
“It was two distinct explosions seconds from each other,” he told CNN. “As I was making my way towards the outside, I kept getting shoved by cops and there were cops at every entrance and there was police and Swat everywhere.
“It was scary. It was just a lot of chaos but I didn’t see any injuries.”
City officials expressed relief that the attack was not worse.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said: “As New Yorkers our lives revolve around the subways. When we hear of an attack on the subways it is incredibly unsettling.
“And let’s be clear: This was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals.”