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Boston Bombings: 3 Dead, 144 Injured

Brianna Sacks |
April 15, 2013 | 7:26 p.m. PDT

Editor-at-Large

(Seconds after first bomb explodes/screen shot CNN, Brianna Sacks)
(Seconds after first bomb explodes/screen shot CNN, Brianna Sacks)
The twin bombs that ripped through the crowd at the Boston Marathon Monday afternoon have now left three dead and about 144 injured, transforming the celebratory finish line into a chaotic, grisly scene that the White House is now calling an "act of terror."

It was the worst bombing on U.S. soil since security was tightened after 9/11, according to the Chicago Tribune. President Obama said authorities still did not know who carried out the attack, but vowed the individual or group responsible would be given "the full weight of justice." The FBI is now taking over the investigation.

The death toll has now risen from two to three and include an 8-year-old boy, the Boston Globe reported. A handful of other children are also being treated at Boston Children's Hospital, some as young as 2-years old.

ALSO: Bombings Rock Boston Marathon

Most of the injuries were shrapnel related, focused primarily on the lower limbs. One individual lost both limbs, said Dr peter Fagenholz, a Mass General Hospital Surgeon at a Hospital press conference. He reported that the hospital has performed several amputations and many of those brought in sustained "grisly injuries."

"A number of patients will require repeat operations," said Fagenholz. "We have eight in critical condition. I cannot say i have ever seen this volume of patients come in this quickly with these type of injuries." 

Politico reported that a senior U.S. intelligence official said two other bombs were found near the end of the 26.2-mile course in what appeared to be a well-coordinated attack. The bombs exploded within 12 seconds of each other and about 100 yards apart, shattering windows, knocking spectators to the ground and sending thick waves of smoke across the finish line and stunned runners.

"I saw people who looked like they had their legs blown off. There was a lot of blood over their legs. Then people were being pushed in wheelchairs," marathon runner Joe Anderson, 33, told Reuters.

The bombings came on Patriots Day, which is a state holiday in Massachusetts and celebrates the beginning of the American Revolution. The Boston Marathon is also a historic event in the city, and thousands of runners and spectators packed the streets to enjoy the 117th race.

ALSO: Obama On Boston Explosions: "We Will Find Out Who Did This"

Bomb squads were searching the area, said Steve MacDonald, a spokesman for the Boston Fire Department. Officials said another explosion, heard in the city around 4 p.m., was a “controlled blast” staged as part of bomb squad activity.

CNN reported that authorities and FBI investigators have been searching dozens of backpacks and packages abandoned on the streets during the chaos, though no search has turned up any leads as to who carried out the attack.

The Federal Aviation Administration has enacted a no-fly zone around an area of Boston at the request of law enforcement officials and temporarily stopped planes on the ground at Logan International Airport to change the runway configuration, according to the Boston Globe.

Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis  said the attacks had occurred without warning. “There was no specific intelligence” suggesting an attack would take place, he said.

Governor Deval Patrick said there was a “horrific attack here in Boston” and authorities were focusing on making sure the area around the Copley Square finish line was safe and secured.

Another object was found inside a “military style” duffel bag, but it was unclear if it was connected to the main explosions, the ATF official said. The L.A. Times reported that a sixth “event” took place near the JFK Library, but that was later discounted as an unrelated fire.

Fred Treseler, founder and president of the TRACS Boston running club, said the seamless organization of Boston authorities and race officials helped move the thousands of runners still on the course out of danger, and kept 5,000 or so runners hitting the 40 km mark from continuing.

"Close to 18,000 runners finished the marathon safely, and the way the race was suspended so quickly was absolutely fantastic" said Tresleler. "But the Boston Marathon will be changed forever."

 

Reach Editor-at-Large Brianna Sacks here



 

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