New York (AFP) – Patay ang isang piloto nang bumagsak ang sinasakyan nitong helicopter sa ibabaw ng isang high-rise building sa sikat na Manhattan, at nagpasiklab ng apoy sa lugar.
Kasagsagan ng ulan at makapal ang fog sa siyudad nang mag-crash landing ang helicopter na tinukoy ng Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) na Agusta A109E bandang 1:45 ng hapon, sampung minuto pa lamang mula ng makaalis ito sa heliport ng Manhattan.
“There were no other injuries that we know of at this point in time to anyone in the building or on the ground,” pahayag ni Mayor Bill de Blasio.
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Kinumpirma naman ng New York fire department ang isang patay—ang piloto na nag-iisang sakay ng helicopter ng bumagsak ito.
“There is no indication at this time that this was an act of terror,” pagsisiguro ni de Blasio. “And there is no ongoing threat to New York City based on all the information we have right now.”
Masuwerte namang naapula ang apoy sa tuktok ng gusali—bagamat naging balakid sa mga bumbero ang taas na 54 na palapag ng gusali.
“Whenever we have a fire on a high-rise office building — 54 stories is over 700 feet tall — we have challenges getting enough water pressure up to the higher levels of the building,” pahayag ni Chief of Fire Operations Thomas Richardson na ipinost sa facebook page ng New York fire department.
Samantala, agad namang ibinahagi ni US President Trump na nakatutok ito sa sitwasyon sa lugar.
“I have been briefed on the helicopter crash in New York City. Phenomenal job by our GREAT First Responders who are currently on the scene. THANK YOU for all you do 24/7/365! The Trump Administration stands ready should you need anything at all,” tweet ni Trump.
