A series of bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday April 15th. The Boston Police Department confirmed two dead and 23 injured, and local hospitals reported that as many as 51 others were injured.
Two explosions occurred at around 2:50pm, several hours after the start of the men’s race while many of the 27,000 runners were still completing the race. Several news outlets reported that a loud explosion was heard on the north side of Boylston Street, near a photo bridge that marked the finish line. Another explosion was heard shortly afterward. The two explosions occurred approximately 550 feet and 10 seconds apart.
The race was halted and local authorities stepped in to evacuate the area. The Associated Press reported that, “authorities were helping injured runners leave the scene and that bloodied spectators were being carried to a medical tent that was being used for runners.” Red Cross established a website (http://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php) to help people find loved ones in the area.
The Boston police confirmed at a late afternoon news conference that they were investigating the explosions. A senior United States government official said that the Boston police and the F.B.I. had received no reports about a potential bomb threat on Monday or in recent days. Authorities have found at least one other explosive device that experts were working to dismantle according to Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.
As of yet, there are no individuals or groups suspected of planting the bombs, but investigations are still being conducted.
Sources:
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/15/explosions-near-finish-of-boston-marathon/?hpt=hp_t1
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/15/us/boston-marathon-explosions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/explosions-reported-at-site-of-boston-marathon.html
UPDATE: Three are reported dead (including an eight year old child) and over 100 are reported injured in the aftermath of the attack. Witnesses claim to have seen two packages in the area right before the explosions occurred.