New York truck attack: Trump vows to tighten vetting
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to "step up" vetting measures, after a deadly truck attack in New York.
Eight people were killed and 11 injured when the driver of the truck hit people on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan. Five Argentines were among the dead.
A 29-year-old man was shot by police as he left the car, and detained. Media named him as Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek immigrant who came to the US in 2010.
Officials said it was a terror attack.
The suspect is now in a hospital.
A note was found in the truck that referred to so-called Islamic State, law enforcement sources were quoted as saying by US media.
Sayfullo Saipov had been arrested in Missouri last year over a traffic fine.
President Trump had been briefed about what happened in New York on Tuesday afternoon, the White House said.
He then took to Twitter, saying:
"In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!"
"We must not allow ISIS [Islamic State] to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!"
"My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!"
He also announced that he had ordered the Extreme Vetting Program to be stepped up. He did not elaborate further.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the incident in Manhattan was a "cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians".
"We know that this action was intended to break our spirit. But we also know that New Yorkers are strong, New Yorkers are resilient and our spirit will never be moved by an act of violence and an act meant to intimidate us," he said.
Police urged people to avoid the usually busy area as a major emergency services operation got under way.
SOURCE: BBC News
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