Explosive devices have been mailed to former US President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other democratic figures across America.

Eight of the crude-looking pipe bombs have been found so far, with the FBI launching a major investigation.

Part of Manhattan was placed in lockdown as the NYPD bomb removed one of the devices from CNN’s New York headquarters.

This photo obtained by @ABC and confirmed by two law enforcement sources shows the device recovered from @CNN by the NYPD bomb squad. pic.twitter.com/HFzTMSoJXG

— Gio Benitez (@GioBenitez) October 24, 2018

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has labelled the incident a clear “act of terror”.

The United States Secret Service has confirmed Mr Obama and Ms Clinton did not receive the packages.

“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the statement says.

“The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”

The incident comes just two weeks before nationwide elections that could reshape US Congress and serve as a referendum on the first two years of President Trump’s presidency.

President Donald Trump has condemned the attacks as despicable and confirmed a major federal investigation is underway.

The safety of the American People is my highest priority. I have just concluded a briefing with the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Secret Service… pic.twitter.com/nEUBcq4NOh

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018

US Correspondent Harley Carnes tells Alan Jones, “this is a very big deal”.

“The suspicious packages, pipe bombs, look like they would work according to the FBI, which is studying these devices now.”

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Image: ABC America