WASHINGTON
(AFP) – President Barack Obama said Monday that the United States did not
yet know who was responsible for blasts at the Boston marathon but he vowed to
find those accountable and punish them.
(AFP) – President Barack Obama said Monday that the United States did not
yet know who was responsible for blasts at the Boston marathon but he vowed to
find those accountable and punish them.
“We don’t yet have all the answers,” Obama said.
“We still do not know who did this or why,” he added, hinting that he believed
the explosions were planned but stopping short of calling them a terrorist
attack.
“We still do not know who did this or why,” he added, hinting that he believed
the explosions were planned but stopping short of calling them a terrorist
attack.
At least two people were killed and three dozen
wounded when two explosions struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon
on Monday, sparking scenes of panic.
wounded when two explosions struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon
on Monday, sparking scenes of panic.
Police did
not immediately say whether the explosions were part of a terrorist attack, but
marathon organizers said it was a twin bombing and media outlets reported that
other unexploded devices had been found nearby.
not immediately say whether the explosions were part of a terrorist attack, but
marathon organizers said it was a twin bombing and media outlets reported that
other unexploded devices had been found nearby.
The blasts left a street littered with blood and
debris, as spectators screamed and fled, paramedics hauled away stretchers and
police rushed in, according to witnesses, one of whom saw a man with his lower
limbs blown off.
debris, as spectators screamed and fled, paramedics hauled away stretchers and
police rushed in, according to witnesses, one of whom saw a man with his lower
limbs blown off.
Boston Marathon organizers said on Facebook that
“two bombs” exploded near the finish line, without providing a source for the
information.
“two bombs” exploded near the finish line, without providing a source for the
information.
“We are working with law enforcement to
understand what exactly has happened,” it said.
understand what exactly has happened,” it said.
NBC News, citing officials, earlier reported
that police had found “multiple explosive devices” in Boston, raising the
possibility of a coordinated attack.
that police had found “multiple explosive devices” in Boston, raising the
possibility of a coordinated attack.
The twin explosions come more than a decade
after nearly 3,000 people were killed in airplane strikes on New York,
Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.
after nearly 3,000 people were killed in airplane strikes on New York,
Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.
At a hastily convened press conference,
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick described a “very fluid situation” as he
and other officials implored anyone with information about the incidents to
call local tip hotlines.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick described a “very fluid situation” as he
and other officials implored anyone with information about the incidents to
call local tip hotlines.
Boston Police Chief Ed Davis said there was a
third explosion at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, but the library
later said there was an electrical fire that had been extinguished without
causing any injuries.
third explosion at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, but the library
later said there was an electrical fire that had been extinguished without
causing any injuries.
A video clip posted online appeared to show one
of the marathon explosions going off, apparently several feet back from the
barricades and the line of national flags separating the race spectators and
the street.
of the marathon explosions going off, apparently several feet back from the
barricades and the line of national flags separating the race spectators and
the street.
One runner is seen staggering and then falling,
while others keep going for a few more steps. Volunteers in yellow jackets
cover their ears at the sound of the blast.
while others keep going for a few more steps. Volunteers in yellow jackets
cover their ears at the sound of the blast.
“We saw people with their legs blown off,” Mark
Hagopian, owner of the Charlesmark Hotel, told AFP from the basement of a
restaurant where he had sought shelter.
Hagopian, owner of the Charlesmark Hotel, told AFP from the basement of a
restaurant where he had sought shelter.
“A person next to me had his legs blown off at
the knee — he was still alive.”
the knee — he was still alive.”
“It was bad, it was fast,” he said. “There was a
gigantic explosion… we felt wind on our faces… Police were saying: ‘Get out,
get out, leave, leave there may be more bombs.’”
gigantic explosion… we felt wind on our faces… Police were saying: ‘Get out,
get out, leave, leave there may be more bombs.’”
Nineteen wounded people were taken to
Massachusetts General Hospital, including six who required emergency surgery,
according to Alasdair Conn, head of emergency services.
Massachusetts General Hospital, including six who required emergency surgery,
according to Alasdair Conn, head of emergency services.
He added that several of the injured required
“traumatic amputations” at the scene or at the hospital.
“traumatic amputations” at the scene or at the hospital.
Boston Medical Center said it received 20
patients, including two children, from the site of the marathon explosions.
“Most of these patients have lower leg injuries,” it said in a brief statement.
patients, including two children, from the site of the marathon explosions.
“Most of these patients have lower leg injuries,” it said in a brief statement.
The Boston Police Twitter account had earlier
said two people were killed and 23 wounded. Officials at the press conference
declined to discuss the exact number of casualties.
said two people were killed and 23 wounded. Officials at the press conference
declined to discuss the exact number of casualties.
US President Barack Obama was notified about the
incident, and his administration was in contact with state and local
authorities, a White House official said.
incident, and his administration was in contact with state and local
authorities, a White House official said.
Obama called Patrick and Boston mayor Tom Menino
to express his concern for the injured and to offer support. He was to make a
statement at 2210 GMT.
to express his concern for the injured and to offer support. He was to make a
statement at 2210 GMT.
Security was stepped up in New York and
Washington, as well as in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In the Big Apple,
police said they were boosting security at hotels and “other prominent
locations in the city.”
Washington, as well as in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In the Big Apple,
police said they were boosting security at hotels and “other prominent
locations in the city.”
The blasts in Boston rattled US markets, sending
the Dow and the S&P 500 down at the close.
the Dow and the S&P 500 down at the close.
“Praying for those at the Boston Marathon
today,” said one of the US senators from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren. The
Senate observed a moment of silence, and the House of Representatives was to
follow suit.
today,” said one of the US senators from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren. The
Senate observed a moment of silence, and the House of Representatives was to
follow suit.
The Boston Marathon is one of the biggest annual
athletic events held in the United States, with nearly 27,000 racers who must
qualify to compete and tens of thousands of spectators.
athletic events held in the United States, with nearly 27,000 racers who must
qualify to compete and tens of thousands of spectators.
The race attracts world-class athletes, most of
whom would have likely completed the race a couple hours before the blast went
off. The video clip of the blast showed the marathon timeclock at 4:09:44
whom would have likely completed the race a couple hours before the blast went
off. The video clip of the blast showed the marathon timeclock at 4:09:44
