An investigation is well under way after two explosions near the finishing line of the Boston Marathon left three people dead and at least 140 injured. The FBI has taken over co-ordination of what it described as a potential terrorist inquiry. Boston police say officers are working around the clock and all leave has been cancelled.
At least 17 people are critically wounded and the injuries include several amputations. One of the dead was an eight-year-old boy (the boy’s mother and sister were also injured as they waited for his father to finish the race). However medical officials speak of at least 140 injured, with injuries including severed limbs, shrapnel wounds, cuts and bruises. A doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital said “several amputations” had been performed there.
President Obama vowed to bring those behind the attack to justice. “We will find out who did this. We’ll find out why they did this,” he said. “Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice.”
Although he did not use the word “terrorism”, a White House official later said: “Any event with multiple explosive devices – as this appears to be – is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror.”
The first explosion came at about 14:50 local time on the north side of Boylston Street, about two hours after the winners crossed the line. It was Patriots’ Day in Boston.
There was initial confusion and panic. Some runners fell to the floor while police and bystanders ran to help those caught in the blast. Then just seconds later, another explosion ripped into the crowd further away from the finishing line, between 50 and 100 metres (yards) from the first blast. Some of the runners who had turned to flee the first bomb ended up close to the second.
Footage showed bloodied runners and spectators being treated at the scene and the road strewn with debris. Rescuers tore down temporary fencing to reach the casualties.
As a massive security operation swung into operation, the Federal Aviation Administration barred low-flying aircraft from within 3.5 miles (5.6km) of the site. Key sites in Washington DC and New York have also seen security tightened.
Officials in Washington said no group or individual had so far said they carried out the attack.
Shortly after the blasts, a fire broke out at Boston’s John F Kennedy Library a few miles away from the explosions. Police said the blaze might have been caused by an incendiary device but it is unclear whether it is related to the explosions.
Current lines of investigation are centered on home-grown extremists (in the same week of the year of the Oklahoma bombings and the end of the Waco siege) and Al Qaeda-related Islamist terrorists.
The rest of the Free World stands shoulder to shoulder with Boston at this time. The families of those deceased victims are in mind and prayer, as are the living victims of this unnecessary act of calculated evil.
By Allied Newsdesk
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