05/05/2005

Explosions outside British consulate in New York

Two explosions have occurred outside the British consulate building in New York.

The blasts took place around 03:35 local time (08:35 BST), shattering windows in the Third Avenue building, which also contains other offices. However, no injuries were reported as a result of the explosions.

A police spokesperson said that an explosion was believed to have detonated in one of the cement flower boxes outside the building.

Police said that fragments found at the scene appeared to indicate that two “novelty” devices had caused the explosions. One was the size and shape of a pineapple and the other, the size and shape of a lemon. One of the devices is believed to have had some gunpowder inside linked to a fuse.

The area around the building has been sealed off and a search is under way for other explosive devices in the vicinity.

The explosions took place as Britain was preparing for today’s General Election.

However, no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The consulate provides help for Britons, including the provision of emergency passports for one-way journeys to the UK and the handling of visa applications.

(KMcA/SP)

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