Eight people were killed and 13 others injured in a terrorist attack in New York City when a man drove a rented truck into a bike path near the World Trade Center memorial in Manhattan Tuesday, CNN reported.
UPDATE: 11:45 a.m. ET 11/1/2017
In a statement issued Wednesday, New York's official destination marketing organization, NYC & Company assured travelers that the city is safe and encouraged visitors to move forward with their travel plans.
"We are deeply saddened by the terrible attack on October 31, and are thankful and reassured by the swift actions of the NYPD and first responders. Our deepest sympathies are with all the victims and their families. It is profoundly disheartening to learn of the five Argentineans and the Belgian who were among those who lost their lives, and other visitors who were injured or affected who were simply here to experience and enjoy this incredible city," NYC & Company President and CEO, Fred Dixon said in a statement.
"We condemn this senseless act of violence here and those in other destinations around the globe. We are a strong, united and resilient community. New York City remains a safe and welcoming destination for leisure visitors and meetings delegates, and we encourage travelers to continue with their plans here and elsewhere."
American Society of Travel Agents President and CEO, Zane Kerby also issued a statement Wednesday:
"Our hearts go out to the victims, friends and families impacted by yesterday's horrific attack in New York. The city is a landmark destination for travelers from across the globe and we're confident in the city's resilience. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our New York members and the entire New York travel and tourism industry in supporting those who need our help during these difficult times."
According to the New York Daily News, Sunday's New York City Marathon will go on as planned. However, some media events have been postponed as a result of Tuesday's attack. Officials and race organizers will also implement heightened security measures.
As many as 50,000 runners are expected to participate in the annual event, which passes through all five boroughs.
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Original Text
Eight people were killed and nearly a dozen injured when a truck drove along a bike path near the World Trade Center memorial in Manhattan at 3 p.m. on Halloween, according to CNN.
"This was an act of terror," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, "and a particularly cowardly act of terror, aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them."
An unidentified law enforcement source has also reported that a note, written in English, was found in the vehicle that claimed the attack was done in the name of ISIS.
Six of the people killed were international citizens, including five people from Argentina and one from Belgium, according to tweets from the foreign affairs ministers of those nations.
The driver, identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov is originally from Uzbekistan but apparently has been in the United States since 2010. According to witnesses at the scene, he was heard shouting Allahu Akbar (God is Great in Arabic) upon exiting his vehicle.
He was subsequently shot in the abdomen by police who believed he was carrying firearms. He was then taken into custody and admitted to a local hospital.
Law enforcement sources said the truck wrecked when it hit a school bus and that the act appeared to be "deliberate."
The New York City Police Department provided details of the attack in a series of tweets Tuesday afternoon.
Lower Manhattan is a year-round draw for visitors to New York City, which hosted a record 60.3 million visitors in 2016.
TravelPulse will update this story as more facts are learned.
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