Is it safe to go to New York? Latest travel update following Manhattan terror attack
NEW YORK has been rocked by a terror attack in Manhattan which has killed at least eight people. But is it still safe to travel to the US city?
Emergency services respond after New York attack claims fatalities
An attack in Manhattan has claimed the lives of at least eight people, injuring 11, after a vehicle was reported to have driven the wrong way down a cycle path.
Using a Home Depot rental van, the driver drove onto a pedestrian path, hitting bystanders.
He was armed with two weapons and began running before being shot by police. The weapons later turned out to be imitation firearms.
An eyewitness told US media he heard about nine or 10 shots, but could not identify which direction they were coming from.
He has been taken into custody by the police with the FBI and NYPD now treating the incident as an act of terror.
Reuters cited senior law enforcement officials who confirmed that the incident was being treated as terrorism at this current time.
Is New York safe to travel to following the Manhattan shooting?
Six people have been killed by the shooting in Manhattan
Avoid the area of West St. (Barclay St. to a Christopher St.) Manhattan due to ongoing investigation
The incident happened near the World Trade Center, a popular area with tourists visiting the USA, in Lower Manhattan.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have updated their travel advice, stating: "Following an incident involving a vehicle hitting a number of people in Lower Manhattan, local authorities have advised avoiding the area of West Street (Barclay Street to Christopher Street) in Manhattan due to the ongoing investigation.
"NYPD have announced that there will be additional security across the city including around the Halloween parade which is taking place tonight.
Regarding the threat of terrorism in the US, the website also states: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the USA. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.”
NYPD News’ official Twitter account confirms that there are “several fatalities” and the suspect “is in custody.”
The NYPD commissioner said the statement made by the attacker when he exited the vehicle was "consistent" with a terrorist attack.
Lower Manhattan has been shut down where the incident happened
The shooting is currently being treated as terrorism
Flights to New York are currently unaffected, whilst officials investigate the incident further.
The counter-terror unit is urging people to avoid the West Side Highway area and the FBI is working with the New York City Police Department to find out more regarding the motive.
A witness told CBS News: “There was a huge accident and someone was screaming gun."
Another witness told News 4: “A guy got out with his biker jacket and started shooting up the place.
"All the kids were in the courtyard at P.S. 89 and started running.
"Then I saw the bus over there, all the kids went into this building. I went to go help the driver of this special ed bus, it looks like."
The incident is currently being treated as an act of terror
New York City police are working with the FBI regarding the incident
Frank Brehany, Independent Travel Expert told Express.co.uk: “The incident in New York City will send a chill across continents; a reminder of events here in Europe over the last 3 years.
“At this stage, the UK FCO Travel Advisories are silent on this incident, but, holidaymakers already in the City should heed the following advices: Stay away from or get away from the area as quickly and only if it is safe to do so; if it is not safe to do so, stay hidden and wait until you are directed to move by the local authorities.
“If you are travelling to the USA, follow these advices if you find yourself in an area where such an incident is taking place and follow the FCO Travel Advisories; before you travel, speak with your travel insurer and discuss with them where you intend to travel to and follow their guidance.
“By following these simple rules, it will help you to risk assess your own situation and make you more aware of how the authorities operate in these difficult circumstances.”