3 injured, suspect in custody after explosion in New York subway system near Midtown Manhattan


The New York Police Department reported Monday morning that there was an explosion in the subway station below the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan during the morning commute. Law enforcement officials who spoke with The Associated Press say the explosion, which occurred around 7:20 a.m. ET, was caused by the detonation of "a pipe bomb strapped to a man."
NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said the suspect, Akayed Ullah, a 27-year-old male, is in custody. Ullah was wearing "an improvised, low-tech explosive device attached to his body," O'Neill said. "He intentionally detonated that device." Four people were injured in the blast, including Ullah. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
The NYPD responded by evacuating the A, C, and E subway lines and shutting down trains traveling through the nearby transportation hub at Times Square. By 9:50 a.m. ET Monday morning, the system was largely back up and running, though most trains are still bypassing the affected area.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"This was an attempted terrorist attack," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The Port Authority bus station sees 250,000 travelers and commuters pass through it every day, the New York Daily News reports. Jeva Lange
This is a breaking news story and has been updated throughout.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Russia removes the Taliban's terrorist designation as their connections grow
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
The state of Britain's Armed Forces
The Explainer Geopolitical unrest and the unreliability of the Trump administration have led to a frantic re-evaluation of the UK's military capabilities
By The Week UK
-
Anti-anxiety drug has a not-too-surprising effect on fish
Under the radar The fish act bolder and riskier
By Devika Rao, The Week US
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans