Boston Marathon second blast
Chaos in Boston this afternoon (John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)
Two killed, at least 64 injured in Boston Marathon finish line explosions
The second explosion erupted in a ball of fire.
By David Abel, Steve Silva and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff
Two people were killed and dozens were injured this afternoon as two powerful explosions detonated in quick succession near the Boston Marathon finish line in Boston’s Back Bay section, turning a scene of athletic celebration into bloody chaos.
Two more explosive devices were found and dismantled, The Associated Press reported this afternoon.
Blood and broken glass covered sidewalks in the area where the blasts occurred just before 3 p.m. in the city’s Back Bay section. Immediately after the explosions, some of the wounded could be seen to have lost limbs; others lay unconscious.
“It was just immediately [evident] there were injuries, right in the middle of the spectator crowds,” said boston.com sports producer Steve Silva, who was on the scene, covering the race. “There was blood everywhere; there were victims being carried out on stretchers. I saw someone lose their leg. People are crying. People are confused.”
Local hospitals reported treating at least 64 wounded people. Massachusetts General Hospital officials said that 19 people had been brought there, with six critically injured. Some amputations were necessary. Tufts Medical Center reported nine people were being treated there. Eighteen to 20 patients were also brought to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and 18 to Boston Medical Center.
President Obama has been informed of the incident and has directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response, a White House official said on background. Governor Deval Patrick said it was a “horrific day in Boston” and that authorities were focusing on making sure the area around the Copley Square finish line was safe and secured. He urged everyone to stay away from the area.
Hundreds of police officers and firefighters descended on the scene immediately after the blasts, clearing the finish-line viewing stands. FBI and State Police are among the investigators, officials said.
Bomb squads were searching the area, said Steve MacDonald, a spokesman for the Boston Fire Department. Officials said a third explosion, heard around 4 p.m., was a “controlled blast” staged as part of bomb squad activity.
“There were two bombs that exploded near the finish line in today’s Boston Marathon. We are working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened,” the Boston Athletic Association, the organization that runs the marathon, a magnet for runners from all over the world, said in a statement.
A Globe reporter on the scene saw people falling injured at two spots on Boylston Street, some of them knocked unconscious by the blast.
A city official briefed on the investigation said the first explosion had happened at Boylston and Exeter, at the finish line, and about five seconds later, a second explosion had hit a short distance away at Boylston and Fairfield streets.
MacDonald, the fire department spokesman, said Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis was on the scene, along with fire investigators and a host of other law enforcement officials.
MacDonald said that one explosion had happened in front of the Marathon Sports store at 671-673 Boylston and the windows were blown out at a LensCrafters store, where “the sidewalk is loaded with blood.”
Boston.com’s Silva said, “I was there at the finish, shooting finish line scenes, and then, bang, it just went off, and then less than 15 to 20 seconds after. there was a second explosion, closer to Fairfield Street.”
“It was just an explosion. It came out of nowhere. ... I saw dismemberment, I saw blood everywhere. People are badly injured.”
John Guilfoil, a spokesman for Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said, “The city is coordinating with each agency, including police, fire and EMS, and emergency management as well as with any state and federal agencies that might be involved. We will provide more information to the public as soon as we can.”
Dave Benson, 41, was in the stands across Boylston Street from the explosion.
“I thought it was an end-of-the-event celebration with fireworks. Then I saw a huge plume of smoke and people falling down.”
Andrea George, 39, who was also across the street, said, “We heard a noise and heard the glass shatter. My friend was right there, and I can’t get in touch with them. I just started running. Everyone was running in different directions. It was the scariest thing I ever saw.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. I have been in touch with the President, Mayor Menino and our public safety leaders,” Governor Patrick said in a statement.” Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured. I am asking everyone to stay away from Copley Square and let the first responders do their jobs.”
John Guilfoil, a spokesman for Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said, “The city is coordinating with each agency, including police, fire and EMS, and emergency management as well as with any state and federal agencies that might be involved. We will provide more information to the public as soon as we can. Right now, the Boston Fire Department is urging people to stay away from the area during the investigation.”
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