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29 wounded in Manhattan explosion

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ruled out any terror connections at this time, but called the blast an “intentional act.”

A late Saturday night blast in the heart of Chelsea, a popular Manhattan neighborhood, left 29 people injured, while another explosive device was discovered and defused in the same area.

The bomb that exploded appeared to have been planted in a toolbox in front of a building.

The blast occurred in front of a residence for the blind, near a major thoroughfare with many restaurants. The explosion blew out the windows of businesses and scattered debris in the area.

One of the victims suffered a puncture wound that was considered serious. The other injuries were minor, described as scrapes and bruises.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ruled out any terror connections at this time, but called the blast an “intentional act.”

“Tonight, New York City experienced a very bad incident,” de Blasio said. “We have no credible and specific threat at this moment.”

“Now, I want to be clear whatever the cause, whatever the intention here, New Yorkers will not be intimidated,” De Blasio said. “We are not going to let anyone change who we are or how we go about our lives.”

It is yet unclear who was behind the blast and what motivated it.

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The second device found four blocks from the scene appeared to be a pressure cooker attached to wiring and a cellphone. The device was removed with a robot and taken to a department firing range in the Bronx.

FBI and Homeland Security and an ATF arson and explosive task force are investigating the incident.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was briefed about the incident and stated the nation needs to support its first responders and “pray for the victims.”

“We have to let this investigation unfold,” she said.

Her opponent Donald Trump said the US “better get very tough, folks. We better get very, very tough. It’s a terrible thing that’s going on in our world, in our country and we are going to get tough and smart and vigilant.”

The blast came hours after a pipe bomb exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, shortly before thousands of runners participated in a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors. No injuries were reported. The event was cancelled.

By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report.