Scores Injured by Explosion at Boston Marathon Finish Line

Dozens of people were injured and two were reportedly killed by two explosions near the Boston Marathon finish line. There are multiple reports of victims with missing limbs, bloodied heads and other extremely serious injuries. WBZ-4 reported at least a dozen victims with “grave injuries.”

“This is a horrific day in Boston,” Governor Deval Patrick said. “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. 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.”

“It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard it stopped us in our tracks,” said Marathon spectator Jennifer Curro. 

    Updates below:

    The Park Plaza Castle will remain open as a resource center until 11 p.m. Monday and will reopen again at 9 .m. Tuesday. Residents can get several services there, including counseling services, sheltering services, find runner belongings and more. Displaces runners can stay at the Castle overnight.

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    8:45 p.m. The FBI has taken over the investigation.

    Gov. Deval Patrick asked residents to have a “heightened vigilance” in the aftermath. Patrick said that the city of Boston will be open on Tuesday, but “not business as usual.” The “blast area” is considered a crime scene and the National Guard has secured it and is allowing limited access.

    The investigation will affect Copley Square in the next day or two as the investigation continues.

    “It will not be simple, easy or regular,” said Patrick about access to the area.

    A “significant” police presence is expected tomorrow with heightened security searching backpacks and other items.

    Patrick also said that a support center has been opened in Park Plaza Castle for families and friends to connect with runners. Buses are transporting runners who are still along the marathon route to the support center.

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    8:30 p.m. ATF and FBI are still at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Only patients and staff are being allowed into the hospital.

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    8:25 p.m. The Boston Athletic Association, which oversees the marathon, has released a statement. 

    “We can confirm that all of the remaining runners who were out on the course when the tragic events unfolded have been returned to a community meeting area,” read the statement.

    You can read the full statement at the BAA Facebook page.

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    8:20 p.m. Boston Globe reporting the following injury count as of 7:45 p.m.: “Boston Children’s 8; Brigham 27; BMC 23; MGH 22; BI 21; St E’s, 15; Tufts 9.”

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    8 p.m. The FBI has issued a national tip line for any information related to today’s bombings. Anyone with information can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), and select prompt #3.

    “No piece of information or detail is too small,” wrote the FBI in the release.

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    7:45 p.m. The Boston Police Department has established a Crime Scene Perimeter in and around Boylston Street and community members are asked to please take note the following street closings:

    • Clarendon Street from Huntington Ave to Newbury Street
    • Newbury Street from Clarendon Street to Hereford Street 
    • Huntington Ave from Belividere Street to Clarendon Street

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    7:10 p.m. U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) asked for a moment of silence on the floor of Congress after the incidents at the Boston Marathon.

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    6:38 p.m. Multiple outlets are reporting an eight-year-old boy died from injuries sustained during the explosions. 

    6:36 p.m. CBS Boston is reporting that police are questioning “someone who may be related to the bombing.”

    6:35 p.m. There are reports that Children’s Hospital is in Code Black right now for a suspicious package.

    6:30 p.m. Boston Police said the fire at JFK Library this afternoon is not connected with the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line.

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    6:15 p.m. President Barack Obama spoke during a press conference about the two explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line.

    “The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight,” said Obama. “All Americans stand with the people of Boston.

    Obama said those who planted the explosives will face the “full weight of justice.”

    “We still do not know who did this or why. People shouldn’t jump to conclusions until we have all the facts… We will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable.”

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    6 p.m.  Buses from Boston to Hopkinton are running. They are picking up on Stuart Street between Clarendon and Dartmouth.

    President Obama expected to speak at 6:10 p.m. from the White House about Boston Marathon explosions

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    4:50 p.m. – Boston police Commissioner Ed Davis says during media briefing that a third incident occurred at the JFK library. While officials are not certain if it is related to the incidents that happened simultaneously on Boylston Street, police are treating it like it is. 

    People are being urged to stay home. If they are in hotels they are being asked to say in their rooms. 

    If you are trying to locate a family member call 617-635-4500.

    If anyone saw anything suspicious or knows any information they are asked to call 1-800-494-TIPS.

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    4:50 p.m. – CBS-Boston is reporting federal officials have surveillance images of a man dropping backpacks into trash cans.

    4:45 p.m. – Boston police have worked to update the public through their Twitter account. Officers are now asking anyone with video of the finish line to send it to the department.

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      4:30 p.m. – CBS-Boston is reporting the two found devices are homemade. They are also reporting that federal officials say they don’t have any information that this was a planned attack. 

      The press conference is expected to begin soon. 

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      The Associated Press is reporting two more bombs have been found and deactivated.

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      The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a temporary flight restriction in Boston.

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      The White House has issued an official statement: 

      “The President has been notified of the incident in Boston. His administration is in contact with state and local authorities. He directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response.”

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      Several MBTA services are suspended following the explosion. 

      The MBTA’s Green Line service between Kenmore and Park Street stations has been shut down as of 3:30 p.m. Monday, although Green Line service will continue to run between Lechmere and North Station, according to MBTA.com.

      Both the Green Line’s B and C services have been temporarily suspended, and the D line is only running from Riverside to Fenway.

      The Green Line’s E service is still running between Northeastern and Brigham Circle. Customers who need service between Brigham Circle and Health Street are being asked to use the Route 39 bus.

      In addition, the Red Line is bypassing Park Street Station at this time, with the Red and Orange lines bypassing Downtown Crossing Station.

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      Area of the finish line is now cordoned off as a crime scene. 

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      Boston Police are reporting 22 injured, two dead. A media briefing is scheduled for 4:30 at the Westin Hotel

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      Boston EMS is setting up triage on Boylston, thousands of police and emergency personnel on scene. Anyone looking for a runner is being directed by Boston Police to go to Boston Common. 

      WBZ-TV is reporting there was a fire at the John F. Kennedy Library just after the explosions. No word on if there is a connection to the explosions. 

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      Buildings in the area are being evacuated including the apartments at the Prudential. All businesses along Boylston Street are being evacuated and officials are urging everyone to avoid Copley Square.

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      Witnesses near the explosion are being told to stay off their phones as they could trigger more bombs.  

      The Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel is currently in lockdown. 

      South End Patch