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Boston Marathon bombing

Coordinates: 42°20′59″N 71°04′45″W / 42.34972°N 71.07917°W / 42.34972; -71.07917
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2013 Boston Marathon bombings
File:2013 Boston Marathon finish line explosion.png
Moment of the first explosion seen from the finish line
LocationBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coordinates42°20′59″N 71°04′45″W / 42.34972°N 71.07917°W / 42.34972; -71.07917
DateApril 15, 2013 (2013-04-15)
2:50 p.m. (EDT)
Attack type
Bombing, act of terrorism[1]
Deaths3
InjuredAt least 131[2][3]


On April 15, 2013, two bombs were detonated during the 2013 Boston Marathon around 2:50 p.m. EDT (1850 UTC) on Boylston Street near Copley Square, just before the finish line.[4][5] The blasts killed at least 3 people, and injured at least 130.[3][6][2]

Attacks

Boston Marathon

Map showing site of first (right) and second (left) blasts

Two bombs went off "within seconds" and within 50 to 100 yards (46–91 m) of each other, killing at least 3 people and injuring at least 130.[7][8][9][2][10] Video from the finish line shows a period of about 12 seconds between the two blasts, the first occurring outside Marathon Sports at 671 Boylston Street.[2] [11] The race clock at the finish line was showing 04:09:43 (4 hours, 9 minutes, and 43 seconds since the start of the race) at the time of the first explosion, which was within minutes of the 2012 Boston Marathon's peak time for marathon finishers.[12][13] The winners had crossed the finish line about two hours earlier; other runners were still coming across.[11] Storefront windows nearby were blown out.[11]

Law enforcement officials said that they believed that the explosions were caused by homemade bombs, and may have contained shrapnel.[14][15] There were no credible threats before the race.[16]

Victims

Boston Police Department officials initially reported that two people, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed and 23 were injured.[17]

Local hospitals reported higher numbers of injuries. Eight hospitals report that they are have treated and are treating at least 124 people. Of those, at least 15 are in critical condition.[18] Some witnesses have described victims with ball-bearing injuries.[19] According to the Boston Globe, over 100 were being treated at various facilities.[20] 22 of the injured were treated at Massachusetts General Hospital,[21][22] 10 at Boston Children's Hospital,[23] 9 at Tufts New England Medical Center,[24] about 20 at Brigham and Women's Hospital,[25][26] and 20 at Boston Medical Center.[26] At least 10 of the injured suffered severed limbs.[8][27][28] The injured included a Boston Police Department officer who sustained a leg injury.[29]

Hazmat team near Boylston Street at 3:45 pm EDT

Response

Additional explosive devices

Numerous suspicious packages or bags were discovered, and at least two additional explosive devices were dismantled.[30][31] The Boston Police performed a controlled explosion on the 600 block of Boylston Street.[32] Officials found 5 undetonated explosive devices.[33] [34]

Emergency response

The marathon was abruptly halted. Police, following emergency plans, diverted the remaining runners away from the finish line to Boston Common or Kenmore Square.[35][36] The nearby Lenox Hotel was also evacuated.[4] Some Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service was halted.[11] Massachusetts National Guard units already on scene joined local authorities in rendering aid.[37] Bomb squads searched the area.[8]

As a precaution, the FAA restricted airspace over Boston, and issued a ground stop for Boston's Logan International Airport.[38][39][40]

United States Attorney General Eric Holder directed that the "full resources" of the United States Department of Justice be brought to bear on investigating the explosions.[41] In New York City, counter-terrorism vehicles were deployed to landmark sites in Manhattan.[31] The New York Police Department increased security at hotels and other places.[42] Security was also increased in Washington, D.C. and the White House was partially evacuated,[43] while Pennsylvania Avenue was cordoned off by the United States Secret Service.[44]

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency suggested people trying to contact those in the vicinity use text messaging because of crowded phone lines.[11] The Red Cross is helping concerned friends and family receive information about runners and casualties.[45] Cell phone service in Boston was congested but still in operation.[46] The Boston Police Department set-up a helpline for people concerned about relatives or acquaintances to contact and a line for people to provide information.[47]

Google Person Finder activated their disaster service under Boston Marathon Explosions to log known information about missing persons as a publicly viewable file.[48]

The Navy sent one of its bomb-disposal units to Boston to assist local authorities.[49]

Political response

U.S. President Barack Obama delivering a statement on the bombings.

President Barack Obama addressed the nation three hours after the attack.[50] He has said that the conspirators are still unknown, and that the government will "get to the bottom of this" and that those responsible "will feel the full weight of justice".[51]

Speaker John Boehner ordered flags on the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff for victims of the attack.[52]

International response

Organisers of the upcoming London Marathon subsequently reviewed their security arrangements, despite no specific threats against the event.[53]

Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is treating the bombings as a terrorist attack.[10][54]

A fire at 3 p.m. inside the mechanical room of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, briefly thought to be related to the marathon explosions, was not caused by a device and is apparently not related to them.[55] Boston police commissioner Edward Davis initially stated at a press conference at around 6:00 pm, "There is no suspect in custody."[56]

A Saudi national who was near the scene of the blast is being held in custody in relation to the incident, CBS later reported.[57]

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ a b c d "Officials: Boston Marathon bombs kill 2, hurt 49 – Update 5:15 p.m. ET". CNN. April 15, 2013. Cite error: The named reference "CNN-4-15-13-5:15" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "At least two dead, 105 injured after bombs at Boston Marathon". Yahoo! News. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Explosions rock Boston Marathon, several injured". CNN. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  5. ^ Golen, Jimmy (April 15, 2013). "Two explosions at Boston marathon finish line". Associated Press. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  6. ^ "At least two dead, 100 injured after bombings rock Boston Marathon, JFK Library". South Bend Tribune. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  7. ^ "Boston explosions: People warned to stay indoors". BBC News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c ""Explosions Rock Boston Marathon Finish Line; Dozens Injured"". The Boston Globe. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  9. ^ Winter, Michael (April 15, 2013). "Deaths, injuries reported after Boston Marathon blasts". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  10. ^ a b "At least 2 dead, dozens hurt after two bombs explode at Boston Marathon". Fox News Channel. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d e McClam, Erin (April 15, 2013). "Explosions rock finish of Boston Marathon; 2 killed and at least 23 hurt, police say". NBC News. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  12. ^ ""Explosions at Boston Marathon Injure Dozens"". National Post. April 15, 2013.
  13. ^ CNN video replay
  14. ^ Sherwell, Philip and Swain, John (April 15, 2013). "Boston Marathon explosions: two dead, 23 injured as 'bombs' hit race finish line". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved April 15, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/15/patriots-day-waco-oklahoma-city-columbine-and-now-boston/
  16. ^ Levs, Josh (April 15, 2013). "Deadly bombs strike Boston Marathon; authorities discover more bombs". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  17. ^ McClam, Erin (April 15, 2013). "Explosions rock finish of Boston Marathon; 2 killed and scores injured". NBC News. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  18. ^ "Boston Marathon bombing kills 2, injures over 120". Yahoo.News. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  19. ^ Boston Marathon explosions Philip Sherwell, and Jon Swaine, Daily Telegraph , London, April 15, 2013
  20. ^ Abel, David (April 15, 2013). "Explosions rock Boston Marathon finish line; dozens injured". Boston.com. Retrieved April 15, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Massachusetts General Hostpital, http://www.massgeneral.org/emergency/
  22. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosion: Headquarters On Lockdown Following Blast Near Race Finish Line". The Huffington Post. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  23. ^ Boston Children's Hospital, Update from Boston Children's Hospital April 15, 2013 April 15, 2013.
  24. ^ Winter, Michael (April 15, 2013). "At least 2 dead, 23 hurt by Boston Marathon blasts". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  25. ^ http://www.brighamandwomens.org/online/emergency/default.aspx
  26. ^ a b "Terrorism strikes Boston Marathon as bombs kill 2, wound dozens". CNN. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  27. ^ Sherwell, Philip and Swain, John (April 15, 2013). "Boston Marathon explosions: two dead, 23 injured as 'bombs' hit race finish line". The Telegraph. Retrieved April 15, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Goldstein, Sasha (April 15, 2013). "Boston Marathon explosions kill two, injure dozens; Two more devices found and are being dismantled – NY Daily News". Daily News. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  29. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosions: Third Blast". Sky News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  30. ^ "Intelligence official: 2 more explosive devices found at Boston Marathon; being dismantled". Boston.com. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  31. ^ a b "At least 2 dead, dozens injured after huge explosions rock Boston Marathon". Fox News Channel. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  32. ^ ""Police will have controlled explosion on 600 block on Boylston Street"". Boston.com. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  33. ^ "Deadly Blasts Rock Boston". Wall St. Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  34. ^ "WSJ: Officials Find 5 Undetonated Explosive Devices". Wall St. Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  35. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosion Video Footage (GRAPHIC VIDEO, LIVE UPDATES)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  36. ^ Levs, Josh (April 15, 2013). "Deadly bombs strike Boston Marathon; authorities discover more bombs". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  37. ^ "Explosions rock Boston Marathon; several injured". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  38. ^ "At least 2 dead, 23 injured in explosions reported at Boston Marathon". PRI. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  39. ^ "2 dead, more than 100 hurt from Boston Marathon bomb blasts". WMBF. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  40. ^ "3/2050 NOTAM Details". Federal Aviation Administration. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  41. ^ Levs, Josh (April 15, 2013). "Deadly bombs strike Boston Marathon; authorities discover more bombs". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  42. ^ "Boston Marathon Blasts Kill 2, Police Say". New York Times. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  43. ^ Levs, Josh (April 15, 2013). "Deadly bombs strike Boston Marathon; authorities discover more bombs". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  44. ^ "Obama Calls Mass. Officials After Explosions". TIME. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  45. ^ "Live Updates: Explosions at Boston Marathon – Live stream from scene". The Washington Times. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  46. ^ "Cellphone use heavy, but still operating in Boston". Associated Press. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  47. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosions: Third Blast". Sky News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  48. ^ "Google Person Finder: Boston Marathon Explosions". April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  49. ^ "NAVY BOMB UNIT SENT TO BOSTON". Associated Press. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  50. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22160978
  51. ^ "Boston Marathon bomb blasts kill 2, injure dozens". CBC News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  52. ^ "After Boston blasts, Obama vows to get answer". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  53. ^ "London to review marathon security". 3 News NZ. April 16, 2013.
  54. ^ Goldman, Russell (April 15, 2013). "LIVE UPDATES: Boston Marathon Explosion – ABC News". ABC News. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  55. ^ "JFK Library official: Fire not related to marathon explosions". Dorchester Reporter. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  56. ^ "Boston Police Commissioner: 'There Is No Suspect In Custody'". Talking Points Memo. April 15, 2013.
  57. ^ [2]

External links

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