Austin, Texas rocked by EXPLOSION leaving TWO casualties with ‘SERIOUS INJURIES’
EMERGENCY services are responding to an explosion that caused two people to have “serious injuries” in Austin, Texas, police reported.
Multiple roads closed off after Austin, Texas explosion
It has been reported that FBI agents are also already on the scene and are questioning local residents.
In a statement, Austin police chief Brian Manley, addressing local residents, said: “Not only do not touch any packages or anything that looks like a package, do not even go near it at this time because given the darkness we have not an opportunity to really look at this blast site to determine what has happened.”
“It is obvious there has been an explosion. It is obvious it has caused significant injuries to two people and it is important right now for anyone in the neighbourhood behind us to remain inside and give us time to work through this.”
There are reports that the explosion was triggered by a possible tripwire attached to it.
The Austin Police Department (APD) earlier tweeted: "APD responding to Bomb Hotshot call in the 4800 block of Dawn Song Dr.
“Please avoid the area.”
In addition, Austin Police have sent out an emergency alert to all phones in the area telling residents to remain inside their homes.
Emergency services are responded to an explosion
Two males in their 20s are understood to have sustained “serious injuries” and have been transported by medics, the APD has said.
However, their situations are not believed to be life-threatening, according to the APD.
The APD has also described the incident as “critical”.
There are also reports that the APD is investigating another suspicious package in the area of the explosion
Local reporter Jackie Wang tweeted: “Jerry Schmidt is the president of the Woods at Travis County HOA. He didn’t hear an explosion, but says his daughter in law’s mother heard it and she’s damn near deaf.”
Mr Schmidt reportedly added: “It concerns me because I want to keep my neighbourhood safe. I can’t believe this is going on here.”
The explosion caused two people to have “serious injuries”
A witness speaking to Fox 7 described hearing a "loud bang," before adding that it was "not a car crash, not gunshots but something terrible."
News of the explosion comes after two people were killed by three parcel bombs in the state capital of Texas earlier this month.
However, it is not yet confirmed whether this explosion is linked to the three earlier parcel bombings.
In response to the deadly wave of parcel bombings, US officials are offering $100,000 (£71,000) for information.
The new reward was announced yesterday.
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The announcement came after $15,000 was initially offered by the state’s governor.
Both of those killed were black Americans and police are refusing to rule out racism as a potential motive.
Speaking of the incident, Austin police chief Brian Manley said that he thought the attacks were “meant to send a message” and that he believed they were related.
However, he also said that the authorities could not confirm whether a specific ideology was behind the attacks.
Brian Manley thought the three parcel bombings earlier this month were “meant to send a message
He added: "Not a single one of these bombs has exploded without being handled.”
Speaking of the incident, Austin police chief Brian Manley said that he thought the attacks were “meant to send a message”.
However, he also said that the authorities could not confirm whether a specific ideology was behind the attacks.
He added: "Not a single one of these bombs has exploded without being handled.”