US President Barack Obama was today apprised of an "intentional" explosion that rocked a posh New York neighbourhood in which at least 29 people were injured, hours before his arrival in the city for the high-level UN General Assembly session.
An explosion rocked New York's Chelsea neighbourhood, a busy residential and commercial area in the city. More than two dozen people have been injured as a result of the explosion.
"The President has been apprised of the explosion in New York City, the cause of which remains under investigation. The president will be updated as additional information becomes available," a White House official said.
Obama is scheduled to travel to New York today and stay in the city for the next several days to attend the United Nations General Assembly session beginning tomorrow.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio described the explosion as an "intentional act" but said there is no evidence at this point of a terror link.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, was also briefed about the New York explosion.
She was in the Washington DC addressing the Congressional Black Caucus dinner.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said late Saturday night that it is important to "know the facts" before drawing conclusions about incidents such as the explosion in New York City.
Asked what she thought of her Republican opponent Donald Trump immediately referring to the explosion as a bomb earlier Saturday night, Clinton said: "I think it's important to know the facts about any incident like this."
Trump made his comments shortly after getting off a plane at a rally held in a hanger in Colorado Springs. Trump also said tough measures needs to be taken.
"We better get very tough. We'll find out. It's a terrible thing that's going on in our world and in our country and we are going to get tough and smart and vigilant. We'll see what it is," Trump said.
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