Blast rattles British consulate in US
The Iraq Solidarity Campaign UK | 05.05.2005 12:32 | Social Struggles
The blast shattered some windows but caused no injuries, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Aljazeera's correspondent in New York Abd al-Rahim Fuqara reported the blast caused light damage to the 21-storey building.
"There was a blast at the British consulate," a New York Police Department spokesman said.
The incident occurred at about 4am (0800 GMT) as British voters went to the polls in a general election.
"There were some shattered windows and there are no injuries. We are investigating it," the spokesman added.
Minimal damage
A second police spokesman said later that there was minimal damage to the building, with only a door, window and a nearby car damaged.
Detective Noel Waters said the explosion was caused by a "small device" in or near a large concrete flower box, typically used in New York to prevent vehicles from driving into buildings.
Waters said the improvised explosive device in the flower box blew out a chunk of concrete, causing minor damage to the upscale office block. Police were working to determine whether there were two such explosions.
"It sounded like thunder - two loud bangs," one witness told WINS radio.
Police, including bomb squad specialists, and fire department officials blocked off the area, just a few blocks from the United Nations. The building is at 845 Third Avenue, between 51st and 52nd streets.
British elections
The incident, which briefly upset British financial markets, occurred as polls in Britain were opening for the general election, but police said it was not known whether the blast was connected to the consulate.
British voters have been warned that Britain and its interests could be targeted during the election campaign.
The British Consulate in Istanbul was attacked in November 2003. That attack, and another against a British bank in the same city at the same time, killed the British consul and 31 others.
Prime Minister Tony Blair is seeking a third term in office after a short election campaign where he battled public anger against his support of the war in Iraq.
Aljazeera + Agencies
Thursday 05 May 2005, 14:14 Makka Time, 11:14 GMT
Aljazeera's correspondent in New York Abd al-Rahim Fuqara reported the blast caused light damage to the 21-storey building.
"There was a blast at the British consulate," a New York Police Department spokesman said.
The incident occurred at about 4am (0800 GMT) as British voters went to the polls in a general election.
"There were some shattered windows and there are no injuries. We are investigating it," the spokesman added.
Minimal damage
A second police spokesman said later that there was minimal damage to the building, with only a door, window and a nearby car damaged.
Detective Noel Waters said the explosion was caused by a "small device" in or near a large concrete flower box, typically used in New York to prevent vehicles from driving into buildings.
Waters said the improvised explosive device in the flower box blew out a chunk of concrete, causing minor damage to the upscale office block. Police were working to determine whether there were two such explosions.
"It sounded like thunder - two loud bangs," one witness told WINS radio.
Police, including bomb squad specialists, and fire department officials blocked off the area, just a few blocks from the United Nations. The building is at 845 Third Avenue, between 51st and 52nd streets.
British elections
The incident, which briefly upset British financial markets, occurred as polls in Britain were opening for the general election, but police said it was not known whether the blast was connected to the consulate.
British voters have been warned that Britain and its interests could be targeted during the election campaign.
The British Consulate in Istanbul was attacked in November 2003. That attack, and another against a British bank in the same city at the same time, killed the British consul and 31 others.
Prime Minister Tony Blair is seeking a third term in office after a short election campaign where he battled public anger against his support of the war in Iraq.
Aljazeera + Agencies
Thursday 05 May 2005, 14:14 Makka Time, 11:14 GMT
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