BOSTON (Washington Post) — Two explosions disrupted the Boston Marathon on Monday, causing at least two deaths and dozens of injuries and scattering crowds near the finish line, authorities said.
The blasts occurred after the top racers had completed the course, but thousands of others were still running. Video footage showed an explosion off to the side of the street as runners were nearing the finish line, with some runners toppling over from the concussion. Smoke rose from a sidewalk, and photos of the scene afterward showed a sidewalk slicked with blood.
Boston Marathon officials described the blasts near the finish line as originating from “two bombs,” but there was no official confirmation that the blasts were caused by explosive devices.
In addition to the two confirmed deaths, The Boston Globe reported that nearly 100 people were injured.
Police confirmed that another explosion took place at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, and there were media reports that an undetonated device was found under a grandstand at the marathon. Authorities cautioned that it was unclear whether those incidents were related to the explosions.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick urged people to “stay out of crowds” as they made their way home.
A CNN producer who was at the race said the first large explosion was followed about 10 seconds later by another blast. He said he saw at least five or six people who appeared to be injured.
Emergency personnel rushed to the area, and the street was quickly sealed off.
“I saw it go off and smoke billowed up. Everyone just stopped and hunched down,” said Pam Ledtke, 51, from Indianapolis, who was about 75 yards from the finish line when the explosions went off. “They didn’t know what to do,” Ledtke said.
“All of a sudden, people were screaming,” Ledtke added.
The explosions occurred shortly before 3 p.m. near the intersection of Boylston and Exeter streets. Local media reports said store fronts were blown out.
Many of the injured appeared to be spectators who were watching the race. About half of the nearly 27,000 participants had reportedly finished the race when the blasts occurred. The racers came from at least 56 countries and territories.
“I saw two explosions,” reported Boston Herald journalist Chris Cassidy, who was running in the marathon. “The first one was beyond the finish line. I heard a loud bang and I saw smoke rising.” The blast “looked like it was in a trash can or something,” he said. “There are at least a dozen that seem to be injured in some way.”
Police established a crime scene around the Prudential Center, which is near the finish line. The blast apparently occurred about 300 yards from the finish line.
Authorities in New York and Washington tightened security precautions in the wake of the blasts.
President Obama was notified of the incident, and the administration is in contact with state and local authorities, a White House official said. Obama directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response, the official said.
