Eight dead after terror truck attack in New York City

Last updated: November 1, 2017 at 9:25 am

Eight people have died and at least 11 left injured after a drove a pick-up truck along a cycle path in Lower Manhatten, New York City.

The hired vehicle struck several cyclists and pedestrians along the West Street-Houston Street path.

The rampage ended after the truck hit a school bus.

The incident has been labelled a terrorist attack by officials, and US media is reporting that a note referring to the radical Islamic State group has been found in the vehicle.

Police have arrested the driver, who was reportedly brandishing a imitation weapons when caught. Eyewitnesses said the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" when he exited the truck – at which point he was shot in the stomach, although is expected to survive after undergoing surgery.

The phrase is Arabic for "God is greatest".

Friends died together

The suspected driver has been named as Sayfullo Saipov.

WIC News understands that Saipov, 29, is a national of Uzbekistan and came to the States legally in 2010. Sources have said that he worked as a truck and Uber driver, and lived in Florida.

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

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017

US President Donald Trump has ordered vetting measures of those entering the country to be stepped up following the attack.

A group of five friends from Argentina are among the dead, according to the South American country's foreign ministry.

They were five others in the city to celebrate 30 years since they graduated from a college in Rosario, according to Argentine media.

The port city has declared three days of mourning.

Belgium's foreign minister has confirmed that a Belgian national, understood to be a woman, also died. Two other victims are yet to be identified.