What is the Port Authority in NYC, where this morning’s explosion took place?

This morning, December 11th, news broke that there was an explosion in New York City’s Port Authority at around 7:30 a.m. ET. As of right now it’s believed that the explosion was due to a pipe bomb, and a suspect is currently in police custody.

Many who live outside the New York City area may now be wondering: What exactly is the New York’s Port Authority, or as it’s officially known, Port Authority Bus Terminal?

Port Authority is New York City’s major — and only — bus station. It’s a central commuter hub for both tourists and New Yorkers alike. It’s located in midtown on 42nd Street and 8th Avenue — one avenue west of Times Square. It also provides access to several busy subway lines, including the A, C, and E trains. You can get to Times Square from Port Authority via an underground pedestrian walkway, and this walkway is where the explosion took place.

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The bus station — which typically holds thousands of commuters and travelers every day — was evacuated after the explosion.

According to CNN, the suspect, Akayed Ullah, 27, told authorities that he committed the crime as retaliation against the U.S.’s recent decision to acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. The attack appears to be isolated, and it’s believed that Ullah acted alone.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill has stated that the explosion was caused by an “improvised low-tech explosive device attached to his body,” though it’s currently unclear if Ullah mean to detonate the bomb while it was on his person. false

We are monitoring the situation as it develops.