Boston Marathon Explosion: Headquarters On Lockdown Following Blast Near Race Finish Line (LIVE UPDATES)
The headquarters of the Boston Marathon is on lockdown following two explosions near the finish line, Reuters reports.
The blasts occurred just before 3:00 p.m., according to MyFoxBoston.
More from the Associated Press:
By JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) — Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers in the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts.
Competitors and race organizers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.
"There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another thunderous explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.
"There are people who are really, really bloody," McLean said. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."
Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.
"I was expecting my husband any minute," she said. "I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked."
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for more updates.
Here's a way to track runners who have already finished.
@ BostonGlobe : BREAKING NEW: Lenox Hotel is being evacuated
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AP reporter on TV says Newtown families were in the VIP section right by the explosion. No injury reports, she's locked down with one.
@ janus303 : Oh jeez, AP reporter on TV says Newtown families were in the VIP section right by the explosion. No injury reports, she's locked down w/ one
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MassEMA encourages people to text to save bandwith while trying to find friends and family.
@ MassEMA : If you are trying to reach friends or family and can't get through via phone, try texing instead (less bandwidth)
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@ MassEMA : #bostonmarathon runners being directed off/stopped along course
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@ jonathanwald : Unbelievable. 26th mile of this year's Boston Marathon is dedicated to the victims of Newtown. http://t.co/9ANNIAf1LW
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Green Line Service between Kenmore and Park Street Stations has been suspended, according to the MBTA.
@ jaketapper : MBTA spox: Green line subway service has been suspended between Kenmore + Park Street Stations following explosions
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@ SpeakerBoehner : Praying for the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy and their families #PrayforBoston
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A reporter at WCVB-TV tweets that the marathon is now over.
@ ToddKazakiewich : #bostonmarathon is now finished due to explosion. #wcvb
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@ webjournalist : #BostonMarathon Twitter feed from 1-mile radius of finish line, filtered just for photos: http://t.co/OVMsAgyUcz via @jeffsonderman
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@ GlobeDavidLRyan : boston marathon explosion http://t.co/xUZ4EXKhLZ
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@ katz : Boston scanner: "EMS is reporting another device" in front of Mandarin Hotel
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MSNBC reports that the Mass. Ave bridge is being closed.
Massachusetts General Hospital confirms four patients, expecting more.
@ JackieBrunoNECN : I saw people's legs blown off. Horrific. Two explosions. Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror.
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@ ABC6 : 12 with serious injuries after Boston Marathon explosion
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CNN reports multiple serious injuries, and witnesses told reporters that victims have lost limbs.
A Boston Globe staffer told Fox News that dozens have been injured.
The network showed raw footage from the scene. You could hear people calling for help, "need help here."
"Oh my god they're dead," one man says off-camera, as sirens blare in the background.
Runner's World, which is tweeting about the explosion, reports that journalists in the press room are safe but on lockdown.
@ AP : BREAKING: Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon result in injuries -BW
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Posted: 04/15/2013 3:09 pm EDT | Updated: 04/15/2013 3:36 pm EDT