Group of five tourists among dead in NYC truck attack
Most of the dead in yesterday’s New York City rental truck terror attack were visiting foreign tourists, authorities said.
They have formally identified most of the eight victims as a group of five Argentinian friends on vacation in NYC and a Belgian national.
A sixth member of the Argentinian group survived and is stable in hospital.
They were mowed down by Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov in what is described as a ‘lone wolf’ terror attack and bears a similar hallmark to vehicular terror attacks seen across Europe in recent months.
A note supporting the Islamic State was reportedly found inside the truck.
Saipov then crashed the vehicle into a school bus before fleeing on foot.
He was soon shot and captured alive.
"This certainly bears all the hallmarks of an ISIS-inspired or al-Qaeda-inspired attack," said Rep. Adam B. Schiff.
"We have to expect that as the capital of the caliphate has now fallen, there are going to be increasing efforts to show that they remain dangerous and lethal, and to expand the virtual caliphate."
Saipov moved to the US around 2010 and has lived in Tampa, Florida, and more recently in New Jersey.
He was employed as an Uber driver, the ride hailing company confirmed.
"We are horrified by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with the victims and their families. We have reached out to law enforcement to provide our full assistance," Uber said in a statement
The Argentinian friends all hailed from the city of Rosario.
"We accompany the families in this terrible moment of deep pain, which all Argentines share," an Argentina government statement said.
"This is a very painful day in our city. Based on the information we have at this moment, this was an act of terror, a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians," said New York City mayor Bill de Blasio.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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