New York City beefs up security at transportation hubs after failed attack

The New York Police Department is stepping up security at major transportation hubs and attractions following the explosion in a Manhattan subway walkway during Monday’s morning rush hour.

The area around Times Square and 42nd Street in Manhattan were closed off after the device went off at around 7.30 am local time, in a pedestrian walkway connecting Seventh Avenue, Eighth Avenue and Broadway lines at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

A male suspect has been arrested and later identified as Akayed Ullah, from Bangladesh, who lived in Brooklyn.

He is reported to have been injured after the device, described as a pipe bomb, which was strapped to his body, was detonated. It is believed it went off accidentally.

NYPD commissioner James P. O’Neill said authorities believed Ullah had been intending to carry out a suicide bombing in the subway.

Four other people have been injured, although none are believed to be life-threatening.

Eye witnesses reported a ‘stampede’ as frightened commuters tried to flee the scene and police officers were heard telling people to ‘go east’.

Several subway lines were evacuated and the NYPD closed off 45th Street-40th Street and 7th Avenue-9th Avenue.

NYC mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: "The NYPD will secure all transit hubs and major sites in this city. You’ll see additional officers out in force. When you see something, say something. Speak up because you could be saving lives.

He added: "This is the most resilient place on earth, we proved it just over a month ago, we proved it on 9/11. The terrorists will not win, let’s get back to work."

President Trump again used the incident to push his agenda for tougher immigration rules.

"America must fix its lax immigration system, which allows far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to access our country," Trump said.