US bomb blasts - Boston Marathon and JFK Library

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http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/15/us/boston-marathon-explosions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1


Two bombs struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing two people and injuring dozens of others.

A third blast then followed at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, which authorities believe was related, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said. The library itself said that was not yet known.

 

Figures from three hospitals place the number of injured from the marathon blasts as high as 51. The Boston Globe reported that Boston hospitals report more than 100 people being treated.

It was not immediately clear whether there were casualties at the library.

Boston police: There was a 3rd incident

 

The JFK Library said on Twitter that a fire had started in a mechanical room of a new building. "All staff and visitors are accounted for and safe. Investigators are investigating. Any tie to Boston Marathon explosions is pure speculation."

White House area on lockdown after blasts

CNN producer: Heard big boom, saw smoke

Blasts near Boston Marathon finish line

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yewitness: People 'very badly hurt'

 

The explosions, near the marathon's finish line, sent smoke billowing into the air at Copley Square, turning a site of celebration into a mess of destruction.

 

"It felt like a huge cannon," a witness told CNN about one of the blasts.

 

Authorities in Boston found at least one other explosive device that they were dismantling, Davis said.

 

It was unclear who may have planted the bombs. There were no credible threats before the race, a state government official said.

 

The Marriott hotel at Copley Place was evacuated as a precaution.

 

The Lenox Hotel was also evacuated as a precaution, the Boston Globe reported.

Massachusetts General Hospital said it was treating 22 injured people, six of them in critical condition. Tufts Medical Center reported that it was treating nine people. Brigham and Women's Hospital said it received between 18 and 20 injured. Combined, that brings the number of injured to as many as 51. There are many other hospitals in the Boston area.

 

Police said both bombs at the marathon, 50 to 100 yards apart, left casualties. The full number was not immediately known, Davis said.

 

Crowds were in the area watching the runners.

 

"This is a horrific day in Boston," Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said in a statement.

 

"My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. I have been in touch with the President, Mayor (Thomas) Menino and our public safety leaders. Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured. I am asking everyone to stay away from Copley Square and let the first responders do their jobs."

 

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke with FBI Director Robert Mueller and U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, a Justice Department official said.

 

Holder has directed the full resources of the Justice Department to be deployed to ensure the matter is fully investigated, the official said.

 

The Federal Aviation Administration placed a flight restriction over the site of the blasts.

Other cities, including New York and Washington, tightened security as a result. Following standard protocol, the White House cleared out an area in front of the West Wing.

 

"If you see something, say something," Mark Boughton, mayor of Danbury, Connecticut, wrote on Twitter. "All cities will be on a heightened state of alertness per Homeland Security protocols."

Mike Baingon, who works at the Atlantic Fish Company in Boston, said an explosion took place in front of the restaurant and that he was right by the front door at the time.

 

The explosions occurred at about 2:45 p.m., more than two hours after the first of the race's nearly 27,000 runners had crossed the finish line, CNN Producer Matt Frucci reported.

The race was halted as was subway service into the area.

 

Runners east of Massachusetts Avenue were directed to Boston Common; those west of Massachusetts Avenue were directed to Kenmore Square, the state's emergency management agency said.

 

Troops from the Massachusetts National Guard were assisting police as well.