Breaking . . . Two “Huge” Explosions Near Finish Line of Boston Marathon
Posted: April 15, 2013 Filed under: Breaking News | Tags: Boston Marathon, explosions, serious injuries 118 CommentsThis story is just breaking. Two “huge blasts” were hear just minutes ago near a sporting goods store in Copley Square Boston. The local new anchor sounded near tears, saying “We have a terrible situation here,” It sounds like there are serious injuries.
The explosions came shortly after the winners crossed the finish line. Other runners are being re-routed.
Injuries reportedly include people with missing limbs, head injuries, and covered in blood.
People are being treated on-site at the medical center for the marathon and being sent to local hospitals. This is one of the biggest sports events of the year in Boston. The Red Sox also play on Patriots Day beginning at 11AM. There are massive numbers of people in Boston to watch. I never go out on this day, because even the towns around here have parades, etc.
The two explosions were consecutive, about 20 seconds apart in two disparate locations. One went off near the Marathon Sports store on Boylston Street and the other on Massachusetts Avenue a few blocks away.
AP Story:
BOSTON (AP) — Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers in the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts.
Competitors and race organizers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.
“There are a lot of people down,” said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another thunderous explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.
“There are people who are really, really bloody,” McLean said. “They were pulling them into the medical tent.”
Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.
“I was expecting my husband any minute,” she said. “I don’t know what this building is … it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don’t know what it was. I just ducked.”
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Exploding manhole covers?
I wonder if its infrastructure or something else?
No, it’s much bigger than that. The explosions were near the viewing stands and destroyed a sporting goods store. I’m watching raw footage right now and it’s frightening. I can see flames, smoke, people running,
Here is live footage: LIVE STREAM | Boston Marathon Explosion | Bombing | Mediaite
I put a bunch of links below…oh it is terrible.
Huhn?
WHAT?! RT“@HuffPostUK: Black workers ‘banned from Paris Gare du Nord station during visit from Israeli President’ http://huff.to/ZVAJ6o ”
What’s happening BB?
Reuters:
Breaking News: Boston police confirm explosion near Boston marathon finish line, unsure of number of injured
Boston Marathon headquarters locked down after blasts heard | Reuters
News from The Associated PressTwo explosions at Boston marathon finish line
Breaking: Explosion At Finish Line Of Boston Marathon Injures Up To 30 | Mediaite
Thanks, JJ. I updated the post. I guess maybe I should just live blog in the comments.
I saw the footage of the two explosions from several angles. They were almost simulaneous but 2 blocks apart. It was bombs–not a manhole explosion, they said that explicitly.
The explosions were too big for that anyway. It looked like the explosion came from inside the store.
“People were strewn on top of each other, body parts were all around,” Dead bodies on the ground.
I’m trying to type what the local news announcers are saying.
This is the picture I saw on drudge and fox:
FoxNews: AT LEAST 3 DEAD AFTER EXPLOSIONS AT BOSTON MARATHON, SOURCE TELLS FOX NEWS
At least 15-20 people–gruesome injuries–on the ground outside the store. The site down the street no one knows about yet.
I couldn’t see any flames (cnn), grey and white smoke, and when they showed photo of one location of the blast, there was no craddle in the ground……….CNN says 2 killed, and 22 injured.
Biden made mention of watching it on tv, calling it “bombings”……………New York, Maryland, DC, closing down for precautions………..
Thank you all, J.J, Boston for updates. Take care now.
Thanks, Fannie. I saw flames from both explosions. Local TV shown footage from multiple angles.
People are walking around dazed. Police are trying to clear Boylston St.
This is heartbreaking.
Boston police scanners are saying they found an unexploded device near a hotel according to CNN
RT @SOlsonBFDL14 BPD has a CONFIRMED secondary device! Boylston St @ Exeter St
OMG! Thanks.
WBUR thread seems to have a lot of info on twitter
Chad Finn @GlobeChadFinn 2m
Colleague @stevesilva was a few dozen feet away from the first explosion, caught it on video. Just saw it, makes me want to cry.
Retweeted by WBUR
Mandarin Hotel?
WBUR @WBUR 1m
Live coverage of explosions, via @RadioBoston: http://wbur.fm/FPqGMz #BostonMarathon
It’s being treated as a crime scene. There could have been a device in a trash can, but that’s just speculation from police. Bomb squad investigating.
Nothing like this has ever happened in Boston before.
Lots of ambulances — it sounds like a lot of injuries.
Bomb sniffing dogs were used to check the route before the race, so its a mystery how two bombs were planted in the middle of this huge sporting event.
I’m shaking, writing this. Sorry.
I’m shaking reading it. I just got online. Crap, I have to go run an errand but I’ll be back in a bit.
People crossed the finish line with bloody faces, bloody legs.
Here is video of the bomb as it went off at finish line: http://huff.to/16YCeHd
Amanda Terkel @aterkel 5s
RT @climatebrad: “There have been victims of amputation” — CBS. Fox: 3 people dead. WBZ: 2 people likely dead. #bostonmarathon
The news people don’t seems to have any info about what happened down near Mass. Ave.
They just keep saying horrific injuries. It’s so scary.
This is just horrible! I’m just so sorry for everyone….the violence is just escalating so quickly.
I’m really sorry, BB, that you are so close to the situation – I have a niece going to college in Boston and she just let me know she was alright. I’m glad you are, too.
Thank goodness your niece is ok. I just found out my brother is at work and my nephews and sister in law are in NH. Thank goodness!
Glad he is alright – such a frightening thing to experience. Makes me want to cry.
My thoughts are with all of you who have family in the Boston area. Seeing those pictures of the expressions on peoples faces is bringing back memories of September 11th…that look of shock. There are two links here that just came through my newsblur:
Don’t Jump to Conclusions About Boston Marathon Explosions – NationalJournal.com
Boston Marathon Explosion Video – Business Insider
you can see and here the video at the link
I will say this, it is definitely not boilers…it is bombs.
The police and FBI say they were bombs.
I’m trying to get my brother on the phone.
He’s OK.
They are looking for more bombs.
A lot of people do the race in wheelchairs.
The head of FEMA was there watching the race as well as the Director of Public Safety.
Another big boom heard. Not sure what it is. Something went off somewhere.
The latest (third) explosion may have been a purposeful detonation. They are checking all packages, etc. in the area.
Greg Sargent @ThePlumLineGS 1m
Horrible. ABC affiliate reporting “kids with severe burns” at MGH. https://twitter.com/ABC7/status/323885815044382720 …
It is horrible to be so near the place that is having this kind of thing going on BB, take care…you have a hard few months ahead. Because as the rest of the nation begins to move on, you will still have the heartbreak hitting home for quite some time.
Thanks. I know you understand how shocked I am. This is a special day in Boston, always very peaceful and joyful. It is a holiday in honor of the beginning of the American Revolution.
Yes, shock and disbelief…you will feel it long after the blood has been washed from the sidewalks.
Four people are being treated at Mass. General. People are showing up to give blood.
OMG, I just saw footage of the runners crossing the finish line as the store exploded. A couple of runners fell to the ground.
Chuck Goudie @ChuckGoudieABC7 7m
NETALERT: #Boston Police detectives say additional explosive devices are being found after initial blasts…. http://fb.me/1GuHsSTTw
That was the impression I got. WTH is going on?!
police are now reporting 2 dead and 22 injured
I just saw an interview with a nurse who was helping treat the injured. She said there are bodies in the medical tent. We’ll have to wait and see.
Two confirmed dead. At least 22 injured.
Boston.com News Boston.com News @BostonDotCom 10m
BREAKING NEWS: Boston Police have called in all off-duty officers. Follow our live blog for updates: http://bo.st/XCLv4T
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Boston.com News Boston.com News @BostonDotCom 14m
Officials: There will be a controlled explosion opposite the library within one minute as part of bomb squad activities.
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Boston.com News Boston.com News @BostonDotCom 14m
BREAKING NEWS: Police will have controlled explosion on 600 block on Boylston Street
looks like they are having controlled explosions….with very little warning.
Boston Marathon Bombing: Tweet Reax « The Dish
Doctors and nurses in the crowd helped. Some children hurt, a woman lost her leg. I think there will be more deaths. Nurse says they have bodies in the tent.
There were 26,000 runners in the race alone, plus thousands and thousands watching along the route.
Boston Globe site is down, but they have a blog page set up that is giving live updates…Live blog: Explosions in Copley Square I guess their twitter is live too.
Thanks for all your work on this , JJ. I thought I should watch the local TV news because they are right on scene and will have the most info.
Your welcome, I just woke up when you posted that breaking news thread. Terrible…
Governor Patrick is at home in Milton. Today is a holiday, so the State House is locked down.
Boston Police have confirmed the two explosions were bombs.
FAA has issued a temporary flight restriction over the area of the explosions.
Press briefing coming up.
Wow. There was a fire at the JFK library, unrelated to the explosions and they have closed for the day.
This may be extremely helpful:
AP reporting that two more devices have been found and are being dismantled. They are small, portable devices, probably homemade.
Does that make 4 or 5 so far?
At least 10 people have lost limbs.
NY Post claims a suspect is being guarded in the hospital. But they are also saying 12 dead, 50 injured, so I don’t know if they can be trusted.
Do you realize this is near the anniversary of both Waco and the Oklahoma City Bombing?
This reminds me of the Olympics bombing too … I’m thinking lone wolf or small team like Oklahoma … right wingers
I was thinking the same thing Dak, The very same thing.
I also saw that the 26 mile was supposed to be in honor of the Newtown victims…and that some of the families were present.
No I didn’t realize that. They have video of a man dropping backpacks into trash cans before explosions.
The man talking now was saying the same thing you did BB about the marathon being a special day…
Yup, Apr 19…………….never forget, Oklahoma………………….was in Waco just days after that event.
BB I saw a tweet from CBS saying the police have surveillance video of suspect.
Yes, they do. They’re also asking people to report anything they saw.
Yeah, something like Boston Marthron is bound to have lots and lots of cameras.
I just got home and read about the explosions here. BB, please take care!
CNN reporting: Confirmed 2 bombs went off near the finish line of the Marathon in Copley Square. Significantly they occurred only a few seconds apart. 3rd device disabled. At least 2 dead; at least 28 injured. Death toll expected to rise.
4th bomb possibly found.
The close timing of the 2 bombs may indicate they were set off with a cellular device.
Thanks, Beata. I still feel really shaky and I’m just watching on TV. I can’t imagine what it’s like for people who were there.
BB, having you report from Boston is very helpful, but if it becomes too stressful for you, take a break!
Explosion occurred at the JFK Library.
Officials say the incident at JFK library may be related, but not sure yet.
It sounds like they are linking the one at jfk library together..
The JFK just happen (3rd bombing) was 1/2 hour ago…………..the first two was two hours ago. Per CNN
Boston Police: People in Boston should stay indoors. Situation is still developing.
Boston Police: Three bombs went off – two at Marathon finish line; one at JFK Library.
And I think one that the police found and detonated…right?
I didn’t hear the police press conference mention a device they detonated. Did I miss it?
There was a third explosion in Boston, but it hasn’t been confirmed what it was–just reports that it was a controlled detonation. There was an announcement that something would be detonated near the Boston Public Library (up the street in the other direction from Mass. Ave.)
I wish I could be there watching with you, bb. Take care. Sending healing thoughts.
Thank you Janicen. I appreciate your support.
I heard on NPR while I was driving that the device that did not explode is going to be significant in the investigation. They’re going to catch these guys.
I can’t believe the graphic shots of the injured on CBS. It feels like the victims’ privacy is being violated.
I’m glad I didn’t see that. I decided to just listen on WBUR (PBS) for awhile.
I think a lot of the video and pictures are from the live feeds…you can hear Shep Smith apologizing for them on the fox clips.
CNN’s coverage has not been graphic.
Number of injured now reported: 49; 8 of them critical.
They are going to shut down cellular service in the city to prevent any further detonations.
eesh … be safe and stay home!!!
I’m many miles away and I’m not going anywhere. Thanks though!
That is a good idea.
Good.
I go out and enjoy some sun, all hell breaks loose. This is unbelievable. Glad your family is all safe, BB.
Thanks, Ralph.
CNN saying there was no advance warning, no reported threats.
Correction: No “credible” threats.
Boston Globe reporting 100+ injured.
I’m not surprised.
I’ve started a new thread up top, since this one is so long.