An explosion in the underground passage between subway stations at Time Square and Port Authority Bus Terminal interrupted the morning commute on Monday as areas were evacuated and New York City Police Department (NYPD) began investigating the cause of the blast, according to NYPD on Twitter.
Police said that the The Police Department evacuated the A, C and E trains and the Port Authority bus station. In a follow-up tweet, they added that one suspect was in custody and urged people to avoid the area.
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. pic.twitter.com/7vpNT97iLC
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017
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
As The New York Times reports, the suspect was reportedly alone with a device that appeared to have gone off “prematurely” while in the underground passage. The suspect reportedly sustained serious injuries and is being treated at Bellevue Hospital.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) also confirmed around 10 a.m. EST that “a total of 4 injuries reported at the scene of an explosion at Port Authority. All injuries are non-life-threatening.”
Update from @FDNY regarding injuries at 42nd St. and 8th Ave. #PortAuthority https://t.co/IzZmg63kzr
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017
Later Monday morning, New York City and State officials held a press conference to address the incident. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and James P. O’Neil, the NYPD Commissioner, urged witnesses and people with information on the individual behind the explosion to come forward.
“This is NYC, we don’t live in fear. But if you see something suspicious you have an obligation to come forward and tell us,” @NYPDONeill now on #PortAuthority incident pic.twitter.com/eizS4wKUH5
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017
During the press conference de Blasio said that the incident was an attempted terrorist attack on the city.
“Our lives revolve around the subway. The choice of New York is always for a reason, because we are beacons of the world. And we show that a society of many background and many faiths can work,” de Blasio said. “The terrorists want to undermine that. They yearn to attack New York City.”
Her Campus will continue to update this story as it develops.