/ 8 January 2007

New York gas smell shuts trains, forces evacuations

The smell of gas throughout much of Manhattan forced the evacuation of buildings and the suspension of a commuter train service on Monday, authorities and media reported.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

”We are getting several calls of a foul odour. Our units are responding. It’s in various parts of the city,” a police spokesperson said.

Part of the New York-New Jersey Path commuter train system, which carries 225 000 passengers a day, was shut as a result.

”The service has been suspended between Hoboken and 33rd [Street] and Journal Square and 33rd pending an investigation by the fire department,” Path spokesperson Pasquale Difulco said.

New York’s CBS affiliate reported several Manhattan office buildings and schools were evacuated. — Reuters