SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Sixth reported explosion in Texas unrelated to bombings, authorities say

A sixth explosion further rattled the city of Austin, Texas late Tuesday, but authorities quickly determined it was not related to a series of package bombs that have killed two people.

File image of an FBI van investigating one of the Texas blasts
File image of an FBI van investigating one of the Texas blasts Source: AAP

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AFP, SBS


Skip to article content

Emergency officials responded en masse to a reported blast in the southern part of the state capital city, at what local media reported was a Goodwill store.

The Austin police department said the explosion was caused by "an incendiary device," not a package bomb.

A man in his thirties was taken to hospital "with potentially serious, not expected to be life threatening, injuries," Austin's medical services agency said on Twitter.

Goodwill Central Texas CEO Gerald Davis told KVUE television that the injured person was an employee, who had taken a donation that the CEO described as a "pipe-like device."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"In an abundance of caution for our Team and customers, all Goodwill Stores will be closed," the organization said on Twitter. 

The FBI concurred that the incident was unrelated to the spate of blasts that began in early March.

The attacks have been mostly contained to Austin, the state capital with a population of nearly one million, where two people have been killed and several more injured.

FBI agents are seen carrying items out in paper bags and boxes as they exit the FedEx store as the aid the police
FBI agents are seen carrying items out in paper bags and boxes as they exit the FedEx store as the aid the police Source: AAP

But just after midnight, in the early moments of Tuesday, a package exploded at a FedEx distribution facility in Schertz, outside San Antonio. 

Authorities would not confirm media reports that the package contained metal shrapnel and nails. 

Although there were no serious injuries in that incident, officials said the attacks were related.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world