Deadly Twin Blasts Hit Boston Marathon

More than 100 injured in bombings
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 15, 2013 2:21 PM CDT
Updated Apr 15, 2013 3:30 PM CDT

Two powerful explosions detonated in quick succession near the finish line at the Boston Marathon today, sending the marathon headquarters at the Copley Plaza hotel into lockdown mode, the AP and Boston Globe report. Initial reports had two people dead and dozens are injured, CNN reports. (The death toll has since been updated.) The Globe is reporting that more than 100 are being treated at area hospitals. Some of the injured have lost limbs, WCVB 5 reports. The wounded were hustled into the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. The race has been halted, with straggling runners re-routed. The Boston Marathon is confirming that bombs were behind the explosions, and police have found three more suspicious devices, ABC News reports. One has already been destroyed, and the others are being dismantled. Police are also testing materials at the scene for chemical substances. The FAA issued a temporary flight restriction over the area.

"Somebody’s leg flew by my head," one spectator told the Boston Herald. "I gave my belt to stop the blood." A Globe sports producer on the scene says the explosion hit "right in the middle of the spectator crowds. There was blood everywhere, there were victims being carried out on stretchers." A runner told WCVB that he "literally saw the garbage barrel explode," and that people "started throwing down the barricade and running over one another." President Obama has been notified of the explosion, and has directed the administration to provide whatever assistance it can. The New York Times has posted a map indicating where the explosions hit. (Click for updated coverage.)

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