The New York Police Department tweeted early Sunday that the device has been safely removed from West 27th Street by the bomb squad. Police say it was to be taken to the department firing range in the Bronx.

Police had earlier advised residents on the block where the device was found to stay away from windows facing 27th Street.

An explosion rocked the block of West 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Officials said 29 people were injured. Most of the injuries were minor.

The blast is under investigation, and Mayor Bill de Blasio said it did not appear to be an act of terrorism.


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09:38

New York authorities have confirmed that an improvised explosive device stuffed inside a dumpster was the likely cause of a blast in Manhattan which resulted in multiple casualties. The mayor called the incident an “intentional act.”

The outdoor explosion occurred at 135 23rd Street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues in New York City, outside the Associated Blind Housing facility that cares for the visually impaired.

At least 29 people were injured in the blast, with one person suffering serious wounds. Twenty four people with non-life threatening injuries were transported to local hospitals.

NYC mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident an “intentional act,” adding that, according to preliminary information, “there is no evidence at this point of a terror connection.”

“There is no specific and credible threat against New York city at this point in time from any terror organization,” the mayor stressed. “Based on this hour there is no specific connection to the incident in New Jersey.”

Police spokesman Stephen Davis said the explosion is believed to have originated inside a trash bin, NBC reported, stating that the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is at the scene.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and New York arson and explosives task force are also at the scene. The New York Office of Emergency Management said it was also responding to the incident.

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