New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city's police chief Ray Kelly have said that had the bomb seized and neutralized exploded, it could have had a devastating impact on the city.
Bloomberg, who returned to the city from a White House dinner in Washington on hearing news of the bomb, was quoted by The Telegraph, as saying: "We are very lucky. Thanks to alert New Yorkers and professional police officers, we avoided what could have been a very deadly event."
"The bomb squad confirmed that the suspicious vehicle did contain an explosive device. We have no idea who did this or why. Terrorists who want to take our freedoms away from us focus on the symbol of those freedoms, and that's New York City," he added.
Bloomberg said the wiring of the bomb "looked amateurish" and it had used "consumer grade fireworks" that were easily obtainable.
It contained three propane tanks, fireworks, two five gallon gasoline containers, two clocks with batteries, electrical wires and a four foot by two foot metal box.
New York Police Commissioner Kelly said: "I think the intent was to cause a significant ball of fire." The bomb was found abandoned in a car with its engine running and hazard lights flashing.
Image: Police check the car bomb found at Times Square on Sunday.
Photograph: Reuters
