Police confirmed at least three
people lost their lives in two explosions which tore through the spectators'
area near the finish line of the Boston Marathon yesterday, as reports emerged
the youngest victim is believed to be just eight years old.In terrifying scenes, the world's oldest and most prestigious
marathon was thrown into chaos by the blasts as scores of the 25,000 'fun
runners' streamed past.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility as reports
emerged later that one of the dead was an eight-year-old boy and the youngest
of at least 140 injured is believed to be three years old.
A number of people caught up in the blast remain in a critical
condition. The injuries ranged from cuts and bruises to amputations. Many
victims suffered lower leg injuries and shrapnel wounds. Some suffered ruptured
eardrums.
The twin blasts at the race took place almost simultaneously and
about 100 metres apart, knocking runners and spectators off their feet,
shattering windows and sending smoke rising over the street. The devices found
were believed to contain ball bearings.
About two hours after the winners crossed the finish line in the
heart of central Boston, there was a loud explosion on the north side of
Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the line. Another
explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick has since warned residents
in the city to be vigilant.
Governor Patrick said that although Boston would be 'open' it
would not be 'business as usual' after the horrifying explosions and warned
there will be a 'heightened security presence' in the city.
He also said that people can expect random checks and should
report any suspicious packages and suspicious activity to local police. The FBI said it was leading a 'potential terrorism investigation'
by the city's joint terrorism taskforce into the twin explosions.
But reports of a suspect being held at a city hospital were
dismissed by Ed Davis, Boston's Police Commissioner, who told a press
conference that no suspect had been arrested.
In a televised address, US President Barack Obama said those
responsible will 'feel the full weight of justice'.
Speaking from the White House, he paid tribute to those who helped
wounded runners and spectators, saying: 'The American people will say a prayer
for Boston tonight, and Michelle and I send our deepest thoughts and prayers to
the families of the victims in the wake of this senseless loss.
'We don't yet have all the answers but we do know that multiple
people have been wounded, some gravely, in explosions at the Boston Marathon.'
Mr Obama added: 'We still do not know who did this, or why. And
people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts.
'But, make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this, and we
will find out who did this, we will find out why they did this.
'Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel
the full weight of justice.'
Prime Minister David Cameron led politicians in tweeting their
solidarity with those affected, saying: 'The scenes from Boston are shocking
and horrific - my thoughts are with all those who have been affected.'
Commissioner Davis said there had been two 'simultaneous
explosions' near the finish line of the 26.2 mile event around four hours into
the race.
He told a press conference in the early hours of this morning that
'at least three people' were dead but that exact figures on the number injured
would be released later today.
This cowardly act will not be taken within stride, we will turn
every rock over to find the people responsible for this,' he said.
Commissioner Davis earlier said there had also been a third
explosion at the JFK Library in the city but he did not believe there were any
casualties as a result of that blast.
The explosion is not currently being linked with the two at the
race.
Bomb disposal teams carried out a controlled explosion on another
suspected device, and Commissioner Davis said a number of unattended packages
along the marathon route were being treated with caution.
In harrowing footage
captured by film crews documenting the race, in the moments that followed the
explosions the injured can be seen wailing on the floor as bloodied spectators
were carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued
runners.
Mobile phone service was shut down in the Boston area to prevent
any possible remote detonations of explosives, a law enforcement official said.
Davis asked people to stay indoors or go back to their hotel rooms
and avoid crowds as bomb squads checked parcels and bags left along the race
route.
At Massachusetts General Hospital, Alisdair Conn, chief of
emergency services said: 'This is something I've never seen in my 25 years
here. This amount of carnage in the civilian population. This is what we expect
from war.'
The Federal Aviation Administration barred low-flying aircraft
from within 3.5miles of the site.
Some 374 of those taking part in the race were British and several
told of the aftermath of the two blasts.
Abi Griffiths, from London, crossed the finishing line around 10
minutes before the 'chaos'.
The 34-year-old told Sky News she heard the explosion while
collecting her bag.
'The ground shook and immediately people sort of looked around -
it was just too loud to be something that wasn't serious,' she said. 'People
kind of didn't know what to do. Then all of a sudden it went into a state of
chaos.
'Police were everywhere, we were being evacuated out of the area
and it was really eerie. It was very, very scary and what should be a major
celebration of the achievement of running 26.2 miles suddenly became a
frightening scene.'
She said police had swung into action quickly.
'This is just such an awful scene to have happened,' Griffiths
continued. 'It felt like it may have come from the inside of a shop.
'Suddenly you looked around and there was this cloud of smoke and
then people went into gear. There were police everywhere.'
Jez Hughes, a firefighter from Morley, West Yorkshire, was walking
to the subway with his wife when they heard two explosions.
He had been standing only 100 yards from the finish line with
other competitors after completing his 10th marathon but walked around the
corner to meet his wife.
'While we were going to the subway we heard two explosions. I said
straight away that sounds like a bomb and then we heard a second one,' Hughes,
who was running for The Fire Fighters Charity, said.
'My wife is very shook up but we are out here until Thursday
evening and no terrorists are going to spoil our day, don't let them get the
better of you.'
'There are people who are really, really bloody,' said Laura
McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for
dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions.
'They were pulling them into the medical tent.'
The annual 26.2-mile race takes place on Patriot's Day, a state
holiday that celebrates the evacuation of Boston by the British in the American
Revolution. It was expected to attract some 27,000 competitors from 96
countries.
In a short statement, the event organisers said: 'There were two
bombs that exploded near the finish line in today's Boston Marathon. We are
working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened.'
Concerns will now arise in London, where the annual marathon takes
place through the east and centre of the city next Sunday. Met Police have said
that they will review plans.
Nick Bitel, London Marathon chief executive, said: 'We are deeply
saddened and shocked by the news from Boston. Our immediate thoughts are with
the people there and their families. It is a very sad day for athletics and for
our friends and colleagues in marathon running.
'Our security plan is developed jointly with the Metropolitan
Police and we were in contact with them as soon as we heard the news.'
Met Police Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry said: 'A security
plan is in place for the London Marathon. We will be reviewing our security
arrangements in partnership with London Marathon.'
UK Athletics confirmed none of their elite runners had taken part
and added that Ross Murray, who ran Sunday's one mile invitational was
'absolutely fine'.
Twenty-two-year-old Murray himself tweeted: 'Just so everyone
knows, I'm ok and well, wasn't around the bombs.
source dalymail
