Explosion at the Port Authority in NYC

[Content Note: Terrorism.]

JUST IN: What police sources describe as a possible pipe bomb detonated in a passageway below ground at Port Authority. One person is in custody. There are a few injuries. Police have obtained video and are confident it is contained. - @AaronKatersky reports for @ABC

— Stephanie Wash (@WashNews) December 11, 2017

At the moment, these are basically all the details that are available. And it's not even clear that those details are correct. The New York Times is reporting, for instance, that two people are in custody and: "A senior emergency official said that one person, the assailant, was seriously injured by the explosion. The police said that no other injuries had been reported and advised people to avoid the area."

Most reports say one person in custody, and most reports say that only the assailant was injured. But all reports are still preliminary.

For those who aren't familiar with New York City and/or this area of Manhattan, the explosion took place near 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, which is where two subway stations, Times Square and Port Authority, are connected by a tunnel. It's a major transportation hub, especially for commuters during rush hour.

That more people weren't physically hurt is amazing and a huge relief. I have profound sympathy for the people who still have to commute through this space every day, for whom that now might be deeply upsetting for some time or for a long while.

As always, let's keep this thread image-free as we share information and updates. Thanks.

UPDATE: Mark Berman, Lindsey Bever, Amy B Wang, and Devlin Barrett at the Washington Post report:

The man suspected of setting off the explosion Monday morning in Midtown Manhattan was identified by authorities as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, described as an immigrant from Bangladesh. The blast, which occurred in the area of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, resulted in serious injuries to the suspect and minor injuries to at least three others, authorities said during a morning news conference.

Ullah sustained burns and lacerations to his hands and abdomen, authorities said. Police said he was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment and then taken into custody.

Police said that three other people also suffered minor injuries caused by being in close proximity to the explosion, including ringing in the ears and headaches, and took themselves to a nearby hospital.

...While there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the explosion, a pro-Islamic State media group suggested it was carried out in response to [Donald] Trump's recent statement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

...On MSNBC, former New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton said the suspect "was supposedly setting the device off in the name of ISIS," according to preliminary information from his police sources. ISIS is another name for the Islamic State, an extremist group that has urged its followers to wage attacks around the world.

"So, definitely a terrorist attack. Definitely intended," Bratton told the news network. "As to whether the device malfunctioned or didn't function correctly, that will have to be determined."