Explosions at Boston Marathon Result in Multiple Casualties

Terror and chaos filled the streets of Boston today after two simultaneous explosions near the Boston Marathon finish line went off around 2:50 p.m. EST. As thousands of runners and spectators, who participated in Boston’s iconic annual 26.2-mile race, fled the scene on Boylston Street, the explosions, which were about 100 yards apart, resulted in multiple casualties. A system of response was immediately put in place as members of the National Guard, state police, ATF, many firefighters and police from surrounding towns and volunteers arrived on the scene to assist Boston.

With this considered to be an ongoing situation, a third explosion, which is said to be a related incident to the first two, happened just after 3 p.m. EST at the John F. Kennedy Library located in downtown. The Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis confirmed that the building was engulfed in black smoke as fire billowed from it.

Smoke and broken glass from the first two explosions filled the area leaving people with burns, massive gashes and severed limbs. Authorities said victims were carried to medical tents that were initially set up at the finish line to care for exhausted runners, while runners approaching the finish line were rerouted away from the scene of the explosion. Other participants, who had yet to finish the race, were instead diverted to a family meeting area as part of the emergency plan. There is much speculation regarding the number of victims, but authorities have yet to confirm the actual number of deaths and injuries and instead, said that all victims were removed from the scene and taken to area hospitals for treatment.

While authorities are working to stabilize the situation, Davis said there were no heightened alerts prior to today or any other leads that point to who is responsible. Authorities are actively investigating all leads and urging people come forth with any information they might have. EOD teams are checking bags that were left along the race route for further suspicious devices.

As the full picture continues to unfold, authorities urged people to remain calm and to make their way back to safety either home or in hotel rooms. And they once again stressed the need for any information that onlookers might have seen or heard.

For persons looking to check in on families and friends, please call the victim hotline at 617-635-4500, or to offer any information or tips about the situation, please call 800-494-TIPS.

Source Article from http://www.nationofchange.org/explosions-boston-marathon-result-multiple-casualties-1366072782

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