Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has labelled the latest attack in New York City on Tuesday, where a man driving a pickup truck mowed down people on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan, as a cowardly attack on humanity.

"My thoughts & prayers for New York City. Innocent lives were lost today.

"We stand together against cowardice attacks on humanity," he said on his Twitter account today.

According to media reports, at least eight people were killed and numerous others were injured before the suspect, a 29-year old man, was shot by police and taken into custody after what authorities described as a terrorist incident.

My thoughts & prayers for New York City. Innocent lives were lost today. We stand together against cowardice attacks on humanity.

— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) October 31, 2017

In London, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that she is "appalled by this cowardly attack" in New York City, in which eight people were killed.

"My thoughts are with all affected," she said. "Together we will defeat the evil of terrorism" and "the UK stands with NYC".

The sprawling crime scene runs about 10 blocks along the West Side Highway, a few blocks away from One World Trade in lower Manhattan, downtown New York City.

Later today, the suspect in custody was identified as Sayfullo Saipov of Tampa in the US state of Florida, reports said.

- Bernama