Boston Marathon bombing

Coordinates: 42°20′59.2″N 71°04′44.1″W / 42.349778°N 71.078917°W / 42.349778; -71.078917
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2013 Boston Marathon bombings
Aftermath of the twin blasts
LocationBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coordinates42°20′59.2″N 71°04′44.1″W / 42.349778°N 71.078917°W / 42.349778; -71.078917
DateApril 15, 2013 (2013-04-15)
2:50 p.m. EDT (UTC−04:00)
Attack type
Bombings
Deaths3
InjuredAt least 176[1]
PerpetratorsUnknown

On April 15, 2013, two bombs were detonated during the Boston Marathon about 2:50 p.m. EDT (18:50 UTC) on Boylston Street near Copley Square, just before the finish line.[2] The blasts killed 3 people and injured at least 176 others.[3]

As of 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 UTC) on April 16, there were no arrests, named suspects, or any claim of responsibility made for the attack.[4]

Bombings

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

Two bombs went off within 550 feet (170 m) of each other, killing 3 people and injuring at least 176.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Video from the finish line shows a period of about 12 seconds between the two blasts, the first occurring outside a Marathon Sports store at 671 Boylston Street, the second about one block farther away, to the west, from the finish line.[6][11] The race clock at the finish line was showing 04:09:43 (4 hours, 9 minutes, and 43 seconds since the third wave, or group, of runners started the marathon) at the time of the first explosion.[12][13][page needed]

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] and a window on the third floor of the Boston Public Library was damaged.[14] Law enforcement officials said that they believe the explosions were caused by homemade bombs.[15][16][2] There had been no prior indications of an imminent attack.[2]

Victims

Three people were confirmed dead, one of whom was 8-year-old Martin Richard of the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. His mother and sister suffered critical injuries after seeing Richard's father crossing the finish line.[17][18] Many of the victims received lower leg injuries and shrapnel wounds, which indicated the devices were low to the ground.[19] Some of the injured suffered ruptured eardrums.[19] According to the Associated Press, a doctor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center had seen an X-ray of a patient's leg containing "what appears to be small, uniform, round objects throughout it — similar in the appearance to BBs".[20]

Local hospitals reported that they were treating numerous injuries, some of them severe. Eight hospitals report that they have treated or are treating at least 124 people. Of those, at least 15 are in critical condition as of April 16.[21] Some witnesses have described victims with injuries from shrapnel.[15] Over 100 were being treated at various facilities.[8] 22 of the injured were treated at Massachusetts General Hospital,[22][23] 10 at Boston Children's Hospital,[24] 9 at Tufts New England Medical Center,[9] about 20 at Brigham and Women's Hospital,[25][6] and 20 at Boston Medical Center.[6] At least 10 of the injured suffered severed limbs.[8][15][26][27] Two brothers, aged 31 and 33, each lost a leg.[28]

The scene, immediately after the first blast

Responses

Rescue workers, bystanders, and runners rushed to try to help the wounded in the immediate aftermath. Flights were temporarily suspended at Logan International Airport. Several cities in Massachusetts and beyond put their police forces on alert.[29]

Emergency services working after the bombings
Police and other emergency workers on the scene
Hazmat and biohazard personnel near the scene

The marathon was abruptly halted. Police, following emergency plans, diverted the remaining runners away from the finish line to Boston Common or Kenmore Square.[2][30][31] The nearby Lenox Hotel was also evacuated.[2] Police closed down a 15-block area around the blast site.[14] Massachusetts National Guard units already on scene joined local authorities in rendering aid.[2] Bomb squads searched the area.[8] Many bystanders had dropped backpacks and other bags as they fled, requiring each to be treated as a potential bomb.[14] The police commissioner, Ed Davis, strongly recommended people to stay off the streets.[14]

As a precaution, the FAA restricted airspace over Boston, and issued a ground stop for Boston's Logan International Airport.[32][33][34] Some Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service was halted.[11]

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.[2] In New York City, counter-terrorism vehicles were deployed to landmark sites in Manhattan.[10]

The New York Police Department increased security at hotels, Times Square, and other places.[14][35] Security was also increased in Washington, D.C., and the White House was partially evacuated,[2] while the White House and the U.S. Capitol were cordoned off by the United States Secret Service.[36]

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency suggested people trying to contact those in the vicinity use text messaging, instead of voice calls, because of crowded phone lines.[11] The Red Cross is helping concerned friends and family receive information about runners and casualties.[37]

Cell phone service in Boston was congested but still in operation.[38] 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.[39] Google Person Finder activated their disaster service under Boston Marathon Explosions to log known information about missing persons as a publicly viewable file.[40] The Navy sent one of its bomb-disposal units to Boston to assist local authorities.[41]

Additional explosive devices

During a news conference on April 16, Governor Deval Patrick said there were "only 2 explosive devices", namely those two that had exploded.[42] Initial reports have conflicted regarding whether additional bombs have been found. Numerous suspicious packages or bags were discovered.[43][10] The Boston Police Bomb Squad performed a controlled explosion of one of the packages on the 600 block of Boylston Street.[44]

According to reports two,[45] three,[10] or as many as five[46] additional explosive devices were discovered in the area but The Wall Street Journal later reported that a law enforcement official later doubted the devices are bombs.[43] NBC News reports that some police officials say there were other bombs, while others say that there were no other explosive devices.[47]

CNN reported that Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said that at least one additional device was found. Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said one unexploded device was found at a hotel on Boylston Street near the bomb site and another unexploded device was found at an undisclosed location.[6]

Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the attack along with the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Counterterrorism Center,[48] is treating the bombings as a terrorist attack, though no perpetrator has officially been identified.[10][49]

Boston police commissioner Edward Davis said at a 6 p.m. press conference on April 15, "There is no suspect in custody."[50] Following this statement, several people who were near the scene of the blast and the surrounding area were taken into custody and questioned about the bombings.[51][52]

Early in the morning on April 16, law enforcement officials searched a residence in the nearby Boston suburb of Revere. Police pulled over a suspicious driver who drove past the State Police barracks several times after the bombings. They are searching the driver's home because he seemed nervous according to officials.[53][10][54][55] Some investigators left the residence carrying brown paper bags, plastic trash bags and a duffel bag.[56]

Police are searching for a rental van and for a hooded man who left the area before the explosions.[57]

Reactions

Local

As a precaution, the Boston Bruins hockey home game scheduled for the day of the bombing was postponed to a future date.[58][59] The Boston Celtics basketball home game scheduled for the next day (April 16th, 2013) against the Indiana Pacers was canceled entirely and would not be played as both team's playoff seedings were already set.[58][59]

National

U.S. President Barack Obama delivering a statement on April 15, 2013 in the aftermath of the bombings.

President Barack Obama addressed the nation three hours after the attack.[60] He said that, while the perpetrator(s) were still unknown, the government would "get to the bottom of this" and that those responsible "will feel the full weight of justice".[61]

Speaker John Boehner ordered that flags outside the U.S. Capitol be lowered to half-staff.[62]

A minute of silence was observed at the opening of the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and NYMEX the next day.[63]

International

Organizers of the upcoming London Marathon reviewed security arrangements for their event, despite no specific threats against the event.[64] Security measures have been increased worldwide as a response to the explosions in Boston.[65] The Canadian Consulate in Boston, located approximately 820 feet (250 m) from the Boston Marathon finish line, was put into "lockdown" and all calls were redirected to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Ottawa. All staff were accounted for.[66]

Security has been tightened for the funeral of Margaret Thatcher, to be held in London on April 17.[67]

References

  1. ^ "Boston Marathon explosions: What we know this morning (updated)". Al.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Levs, Josh (April 15, 2013). "Deadly bombs strike Boston Marathon; authorities discover more bombs". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  3. ^ "Boston Marathon explosions: What we know this morning (updated)". Al.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  4. ^ Finn, Peter (April 16, 2013). "In Boston attack, a reminder of the difficulty in foiling terrorist plots". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  5. ^ "Boston Marathon explosions: What we know this morning (updated)". Al.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e Levs, Josh (April 16, 2013). "Terrorism strikes Boston Marathon as bombs kill 3, wound scores". CNN. Retrieved April 16, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Boston explosions: People warned to stay indoors". BBC News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d Abel, David; Silva, Steve; Finucane, Martin (April 15, 2013). "Explosions rock Boston Marathon finish line; dozens injured". The Boston Globe (Boston.com ed.). Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Winter, Michael (April 15, 2013). "Deaths, injuries reported after Boston Marathon blasts". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Winter, Jana. "At least 2 dead, dozens injured after huge explosions rock Boston Marathon". Fox News Channel. 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. ^ a b c d e "Boston Marathon Blasts Kill 3 and Maim Dozens". New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c Sherwell, Philip; Swain, John (April 15, 2013). "Boston Marathon explosions: two dead, 23 injured as 'bombs' hit race finish line". UK: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  16. ^ Maresca, Cara. "Patriots' Day: Waco, Oklahoma City, Columbine, and now Boston". MSNBC. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  17. ^ Arsenault, Mark (April 15, 2013). "Three killed, more than 100 injured in marathon blast". Boston Globe. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  18. ^ "3 Dead, At Least 130 Hurt In Explosions At Boston Marathon Finish Line". CBS Boston. April 15, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "FBI takes over investigation, seeking suspects, motives in Boston bombings". CFN13. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  20. ^ Memmott, Mark (March 16, 2013). "Boston Marathon Explosions: Latest Developments : The Two-Way : NPR". NPR. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  21. ^ Golen, Jimmy (April 16, 2013). "Boston Marathon bombing kills 2, injures over 120". News. Yahoo!. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  22. ^ "Boston Marathon incident updates". Massachusetts General Hospital. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  23. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosion: Headquarters On Lockdown Following Blast Near Race Finish Line". The Huffington Post. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  24. ^ Update, Boston Children's Hospital, April 15, 2013, retrieved April 15, 2013.
  25. ^ "Update on Public Emergency". Brigham and Women's Hospital. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  26. ^ Goldstein, Sasha (April 15, 2013). "Boston Marathon explosions kill two, injure dozens; Two more devices found and are being dismantled". Daily News. NY. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  27. ^ "Officials: 144 injured, 3 dead, as two huge blasts rock Boston Marathon finish line". The Boston Herald. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  28. ^ Wen, Patricia (April 16, 2013). "Brothers watching Boston Marathon each lose a leg". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  29. ^ Dickey, Christopher (April 15, 2013). "Many Cities on Alert After Boston Bombing". The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  30. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosion Video Footage" (graphic video, live updates). The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  31. ^ "Boston Police, EMS and Fire Boston Marathon Explosions Response Radio Transmissions". Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  32. ^ "At least 2 dead, 23 injured in explosions reported at Boston Marathon". PRI. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  33. ^ "2 dead, more than 100 hurt from Boston Marathon bomb blasts". WMBF. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  34. ^ "3/2050 NOTAM Details". Federal Aviation Administration. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  35. ^ NYPD Increasing Security At Prominent Locations Following Boston Marathon Blasts CBS News – Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  36. ^ "Obama Calls Mass. Officials After Explosions". TIME. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  37. ^ "Live Updates: Explosions at Boston Marathon – Live stream from scene". The Washington Times. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  38. ^ Sullivan, Eileen (April 15, 2013). "Cellphone use heavy, but still operating in Boston". Associated Press. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  39. ^ "Boston Marathon Explosions: Third Blast". Sky News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  40. ^ "Google Person Finder: Boston Marathon Explosions". April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  41. ^ Baldor, Lolita c. (April 15, 2013). "Navy bomb unit sent to Boston". Associated Press. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  42. ^ "Mass. gov: No unexploded bombs at Boston Marathon". Boston.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  43. ^ a b Levitz, Jennifer; Helliker, Kevin; Germano, Sara (April 16, 2013). "Two Explosions at Boston Marathon Finish Line". The Wall Street Journal (online ed.). Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  44. ^ "Police will have controlled explosion on 600 block on Boylston Street, a block beyond the finish line". Boston.com. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  45. ^ Hines, Ken (April 15, 2013). "U.S. Official: 2 Additional Explosive Devices Found Near Boston Marathon". ABC 6. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  46. ^ "WSJ Backs Off Report of Additional Explosive Devices In Boston". April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  47. ^ Williams, Pete (April 15, 2013). "How many explosive devices, and where?". NBC News Special Report. Washington, DC: NBC. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  48. ^ Hosenball, Mark; Herbst-Bayliss, Svea (April 16, 2013). "Investigators scour video, photos for Boston Marathon bomb clues". GlobalPost. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  49. ^ Goldman, Russell (April 15, 2013). "LIVE UPDATES: Boston Marathon Explosion". ABC News. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  50. ^ Hunter, Walker (April 16, 2013). "Boston Police Commissioner: 'There Is No Suspect In Custody'". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  51. ^ Miller, John. "Authorities question Saudi national in Boston attack". News. CBS. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  52. ^ Nelson, Steven. "Boston Police: 'We Are Questioning Many People'". US News. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  53. ^ "Large police presence in Revere connected to Boston bombing". Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  54. ^ O'Ryan, Johnson (April 15, 2013). "Boston cops, feds descend on Revere buildings". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  55. ^ Golen, Jimmy (April 15, 2013). "Boston Marathon Bombing Kills 3, Injures Over 140". ABC News. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  56. ^ "FBI takes over investigation, seeking suspects, motives in Boston bombings". CFN13. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  57. ^ "Boston Marathon bombing: Feds raid apartment, police seek rental van". News. Yahoo!. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  58. ^ a b "Boston Bruins game postponed, Celtics game canceled". USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  59. ^ a b Morton, Victor (April 15, 2013). "Boston Bruins' NHL game, Celtics' NBA contest cancelled in blast aftermath". The Washington Times. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  60. ^ "Explosions hit Boston Marathon". BBC. April 15, 2013.
  61. ^ "Boston Marathon bomb blasts kill 2, injure dozens". CBC News. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  62. ^ Madhani, Aamer (April 16, 2013). "After Boston blasts, Obama vows to get answers". USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  63. ^ "The NYSE, Nasdaq, and NYMEX hold a moment of silence for Boston Marathon bombing victims". Inagist.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  64. ^ Katz, Gregory (April 16, 2013). "London to review marathon security". TV3. NZ. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  65. ^ "Boston Marathon: Security beefed up worldwide after deadly blasts", Oregon Live, Associated Press. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  66. ^ "Boston Marathon 2013 was 'chaos': Canadian runners recount panic". National Post. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  67. ^ Chumley, Cheryl K. (April 16, 2013). "Security tightened for Margaret Thatcher funeral, in wake of Boston Marathon attacks". The Washington Times. Retrieved April 16, 2013.

External links

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