A truck was driven down a busy New York cycle path, killing eight people and leaving more than 11 injured at around 3pm local time (7pm GMT).
Five Argentinian friends were among the dead, the country’s foreign ministry said. Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernan Ferruchi were part of a group celebrating the 30th anniversary of their graduation.
A Belgian national was also killed, the country’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Didier Reynders said.
Two adults and two children were hurt after the truck hit a yellow school bus.
The truck driver, 29, was shot by police after jumping out of the rented vehicle with two fake guns. A paintball gun and a pellet gun were found at the scene, police said. He was taken to hospital in police custody and was expected to survive.
He was named by law enforcement officials as Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old from Uzbekistan who entered the US legally in 2010.
Uber said Saipov had worked as a driver with the firm having passed a background check. The app said it was co-operating with the FBI.
A law enforcement official said witnesses reported the driver shouting ‘Allahu akbar’.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio described the attack as ‘a particularly cowardly act of terror’ and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said it was perpetrated by a ‘lone wolf’.
President Donald Trump tweeted: “In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person.” He later added: “We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!”
Former president Barack Obama tweeted: “Michelle and I are thinking of the victims of today’s attack in NYC and everyone who keeps us safe. New Yorkers are as tough as they come.”