Two explosions in the tri-state area have left residents fearing the blasts could be related.
At 9.30am on Saturday, a pipe bomb exploded shortly before the Semper Five Run at Seaside Park, New Jersey.
Around 8.30pm, a suspected IED detonated in the popular neighborhood of Chelsea in Manhattan.
No one was injured in the New Jersey explosion and approximately 29 people were hurt after the explosion in Manhattan.
A pipe bomb set in a garbage can (pictured) exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, before thousands of runners were due to take part in a charity 5K race to benefit marines and sailors
At 9.30am on Saturday, a pipe bomb exploded shortly before the Semper Five Run at Seaside Park, New Jersey (pictured)
Seaside Park is approximately an hour and a half south of Chelsea in Manhattan.
The detonations appeared eerily similar after occurring just hours apart.
Two additional unexploded pipe bombs were also found in a garbage can near the event 5km run in New Jersey, and it is unclear what actually caused the explosion in Manhattan, but the device was also believed to be planted in a garbage container.
Around 8.30pm, a suspected IED detonated in the popular neighborhood of Chelsea in Manhattan
Witness Chris Duffy tweeted a photo of a destroyed dumpster and said it was the source of the blast
Approximately 25 people were hurt after the explosion in Manhattan
No one was injured in the New Jersey explosion and approximately 25 people were hurt after the explosion in Manhattan
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said at 11.21pm that there was no credible terrorist threat
Bomb-sniffing dogs were on scene in both New Jersey and Manhattan following the explosions
Police are frantically searching for clues and information to see if the explosions were connected, coincidence or if one was possibly a ‘copycat’.
He did say, however, the explosion appeared to be intentional.
That didn’t stop people on Twitter from speculating that the blasts could be connected.
On Twitter, people began speculating that the blasts could be connected and said they didn’t think the explosions were just ‘coincidences’
‘There’s no way the bomb(s) in New Jersey earlier today and the explosion just now in New York are coincidences,’ one person tweeted.
Another person wrote: ‘Who else thinks the explosion and new Jersey and now New York are related?????’
‘A large explosion reported in the Chelsea District of Manhattan a bomb had been set off earlier today at a 5K race in New Jersey. Connected?’ one person posted.
It is still unclear if there is any connection between the explosions.
Governor Andrew Cuomo released a statement following the blast. ‘At this time there are at least 26 injuries, none of which have reported to be life-threatening,’ he said
‘We are in close contact with health providers to monitor the extent of the injuries and will provide information as it becomes available,’ the statement said
‘This evening at approximately 8.30pm, an explosion was reported near 135 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.
‘At this time there are at least 26 injuries, none of which have reported to be life-threatening.
‘State officials are coordinating our response with federal and New York City authorities, and full State resources have been made available for this investigation.
‘We are closely monitoring the situation and urge New Yorkers to, as always, remain calm and vigilant.
Jasper and Sardine 