AKIPRESS.COM - Five friends from Argentina were among those killed in a truck attack in New York on Tuesday, BBC reported.

Eight people were killed and 11 injured when the driver of the truck hit people on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan.

A 29-year-old man, reported to be an Uzbek immigrant, was shot and injured by police as he left the vehicle.

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to "step up" vetting measures in the wake of the attack.

The suspect reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest") as he left the truck. Officials said it was a terror attack - the deadliest in the city since the 11 September attacks.

A note was found in the truck that referred to so-called Islamic State, law enforcement sources were quoted as saying by US media.