New York attack: Twitter users express solidarity with victims

Eight persons were killed and several others were injured after a truck ploughed into pedestrians near the site of the World Trade Center memorial in Manhattan, New York on Tuesday. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, an Uzbek national who came to the US in 2010, has been arrested.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference, "Based on the information we have at this moment, this was an act of terror and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians."

Unconfirmed pro-ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) social media sites claim responsibility for the attack.

Twitter users took to the micro-blogging site to condemn the incident and express their fury. Former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also expressed solidarity with the victims.
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New York attack: Donald Trump vows 'extreme vetting' of foreign travellers

In the aftermath of the first deadly attack in New York blamed on terror since the September 11, 2001 carnage in the city, President Donald Trump said today he had ordered more robust "extreme vetting" of travellers coming into the United States.

At least eight people were killed and 11 other injured in Lower Manhattan today after a gunman in a truck plowed through a busy bike path, an incident the US termed as an "act of terrorism".

The suspect, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov said to be from Uzbekistan, was shot in the stomach before being arrested.

"I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!" Trump tweeted.

His administration announced last week that it would resume accepting refugees after a 120-day ban, though arrivals from 11 "high-risk" countries, most of them home to Muslim majorities, will still be blocked.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today's terrorist attack in New York City and their families," Trump had said in a statement after the attack.
Earlier, the US president took to Twitter to decry the attack, saying "we must not allow ISIS to return".READ MORE

New York attack: 8 killed as truck plows into pedestrians; suspect arrested

Eight persons were killed and 12 injured after a truck ploughed into pedestrians in Lower Manhattan in New York on Tuesday, the Mayor said, calling the attack an "act of terror". The suspect has been arrested.

Based on the information authorities had at the moment, the incident was "a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference, Xinhua news agency reported.

US President Donald Trump tweeted: "In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!"

"We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!" Trump said in another tweet.

"My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!" the President wrote on Twitter.

Speaking at the conference alongside with the mayor, New York City Police Commissioner James O' Neil said the suspect was a 29-year-old man, who was not from New York. He said authorities would not release his identity immediately.

At 3.05 p.m., a man driving a rented Home Depot pickup truck entered the West Side Highway bicycle path at Houston Street, according to O' Neil. He said the man began driving southbound, striking a number of pedestrians and bicyclists along the route.

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