Explosion on Manhattan's Upper East Side: Investigation Launched

Strategic Insights -

An explosion early Monday morning on Manhattan's Upper East Side, possibly caused by a small bomb made from fireworks, destroyed a sidewalk bench and shattered windows in a Starbucks coffee shop. No one was injured in the blast, which happened around 3:30 a.m. The incident has raised concerns and investigators are looking into the similarities between this explosion and others that have taken place in the city over the last four years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The explosion occurred on the sidewalk bench at 92nd Street and Third Avenue, a few blocks from the Guggenheim Museum, at around 3:30 a.m.
  • No one was injured in the blast, but residents living above the coffee shop were evacuated for a time.
  • The bomb appears to have been placed on the seat of the bench, but the container it was in is unknown.
  • Investigators are examining the remains to determine what kind of explosive it was, with the possibility that it was a firework.
  • Police Commissioner Ray Kelly stated that the motive behind the explosion is still unknown.
  • The incident is being compared to other bombings in the city, including one at the British consulate in May 2005, another at the Mexican consulate in October 2007, and one at the Times Square military recruiting station in March 2008.
  • No witnesses came forward immediately, and police are still analyzing security camera footage.

Statistics:

  • Time of explosion: around 3:30 a.m.
  • Number of injuries: 0
  • Number of residents evacuated: unknown
  • Number of comparative bombings in the last four years: 3 (British consulate, Mexican consulate, and Times Square military recruiting station)
  • Time since the first comparative bombing: 4 years

Sources:

  • The Associated Press New York, no date.