New York - One person has been arrested following stabbings that left at least two people dead in the New York borough of Manhattan.

"Today, three innocent New Yorkers who were simply going about their daily lives were victims of a terrible, terrible attack. Two have lost their lives. One is fighting for her life," said Mayor Eric Adams (64).

The motives for the similar acts of violence in different parts of Manhattan were still being investigated.

According to police reports, the attacks began on Monday morning New York time in southwest Manhattan. Without warning, a construction worker was stabbed in the stomach.

The attack appeared to be indiscriminate and the incident was apparently not preceded by an argument. The perpetrator was able to flee, the victim died in hospital. Just two hours later, according to the police, a fisherman was stabbed on the East River in the eastern part of Manhattan. He also died.

Another 30 minutes later, the perpetrator attacked a woman in front of the UN building on the East River and seriously injured her.

He was arrested just a few streets away. The man was identified as a 51-year-old homeless man who had already served eight prison sentences for criminal offenses.