Two bombs exploded near the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing two people, injuring dozens and sending authorities rushing to aid wounded spectators at the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon, race organizers and police said.
Police found and defused at least one other explosive device. Law enforcement sources tell CBS News correspondent Bob Orr that authorities found one other device that is intact and has not been detonated.
One runner, a state police officer from neighboring Rhode Island, said he saw at least two dozen people with very serious injuries, including missing limbs.
About two hours after the winners crossed the finish line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
The Boston Marathon said that bombs caused the two explosions and that organizers were working with authorities to determine what happened. The Boston Police Department said two people were killed and at least 23 others injured.
Meanwhile, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said authorities aren't certain that a third explosion that occurred more than an hour later at the JFK Library was related to the other blasts.
Competitors and race volunteers 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. Authorities went onto the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) race were rerouted away from the smoking site.
A senior U.S. intelligence official said the two other explosive devices found nearby were being dismantled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the findings publicly.
A third explosion was heard about an hour after the first two after authorities warned spectators to expect a loud noise from a water cannon that police apparently were using to destroy one of the devices.
Daniel Lampariello, a college student who was at the finish line, told CBSNews.com that people were trampling each other after the pair of explosions.
"It sounded like a large firework or M-80," he said.
Roupen Bastajian, a 35-year-old state trooper from Rhode Island, had just finished the race when they put the heat blanket wrap on him and he heard the first blast.
"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."
James Minicucci, who was arriving in Boston by car to meet friends at finish line when explosions happened, told CBSNews.com that the scene was "chaotic."
"Some guy told us it was really bad, that several people lost their legs, there were amputations and not to go through to finish line area," Minicucci said.
A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
Julia Morawoski, who was about ten meters from second explosion, told CBSNews.com that many spectators didn't react with panic until the second blast.
"We all started to push the barriers down to get on to the middle of the street," she said. "People were trying to get away from the buildings - they were scared a third one was going to come. And when I turned around I could just see bloody bodies on the street, right near where we were standing."
"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.
WBZ-TV reports one blast blew out the windows of a Marathon Sports store on Boylston Street.
Live coverage at CBS Boston
Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
"There are people who are really, really bloody," said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."
Massachusetts General Hospital confirms they are treating 22 victims from the blast and six are in critical condition. Brigham and Women's Hospital says they are treating at least 18 patients and two are critical.
Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The White House said President Barack Obama has been notified about the explosions. The administration said it is in contact with state and local authorities and the president directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response.
Vice President Joe Biden was on a conference call with gun control activists when staffers turned on televisions in his office Monday to view coverage of the explosions. Biden said during the call that his prayers were with those who suffered injuries.
"Apparently there has been a bombing," Biden said. "I don't know any of the details of what caused it, who did it. I don't think it exists yet. But our prayers are with those people in Boston who suffered injury."
Shortly after the explosions, Secret Service shut down Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, cordoning off the area with yellow police tape. Several Secret Service patrol cars also blocked off the entry points to the road.
The White House was not on lockdown and tourists and other onlookers were still able to be in the park across the street from the executive mansion.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots that it had created a no-fly zone over the site of the explosions in Boston.
The agency said in a notice issued Monday about an hour after the explosions that a no-fly zone with a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) radius has been created over 811 Boylston Street. The zone is limited to flights under 3,000 feet (914 meters) in altitude, which is lower than most airliners would fly except when taking off or landing.
The notice said the no-fly zone is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. Pilots planning flights were urged to call their local flight service station.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano directed her agency to provide "whatever assistance" necessary.
In Britain, police said they were reviewing security plans for Sunday's London Marathon, the next major international marathon. Thousands of people compete in the London Marathon every year, thronging the city's streets. London is also considered a top target for international terrorists.
A London Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed Monday that police are working with marathon officials to review security plans for Sunday's event. The London race's chief executive, Nick Bitel, expressed shock and sadness about the situation in Boston, saying "it is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends in marathon running."
In New York City, police spokesman Paul Browne said that critical response teams are deployed around the city. Officials were stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations.
Runners who had not finished the Boston race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The nearby Prudential Tower, the city's second-tallest building with an upscale shopping mall on the ground, was evacuated, along with the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, according to media reports.
Race day got started with 26 seconds of silence in honor of the victims of the December school shooting in Connecticut. A little more than 2 hours later, the lead runners passed the Mile 26 marker, which was decorated with the Newtown, Connecticut, seal and dedicated to the memory of those killed there.
The annual 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) marathon takes place on Patriot's Day, a state holiday that celebrates the evacuation of Boston by the British in the American Revolution.
Spectator 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."
Source: CBS
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Police found and defused at least one other explosive device. Law enforcement sources tell CBS News correspondent Bob Orr that authorities found one other device that is intact and has not been detonated.
One runner, a state police officer from neighboring Rhode Island, said he saw at least two dozen people with very serious injuries, including missing limbs.
About two hours after the winners crossed the finish line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
The Boston Marathon said that bombs caused the two explosions and that organizers were working with authorities to determine what happened. The Boston Police Department said two people were killed and at least 23 others injured.
Meanwhile, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said authorities aren't certain that a third explosion that occurred more than an hour later at the JFK Library was related to the other blasts.
Competitors and race volunteers 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. Authorities went onto the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) race were rerouted away from the smoking site.
A senior U.S. intelligence official said the two other explosive devices found nearby were being dismantled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the findings publicly.
A third explosion was heard about an hour after the first two after authorities warned spectators to expect a loud noise from a water cannon that police apparently were using to destroy one of the devices.
Daniel Lampariello, a college student who was at the finish line, told CBSNews.com that people were trampling each other after the pair of explosions.
"It sounded like a large firework or M-80," he said.
Roupen Bastajian, a 35-year-old state trooper from Rhode Island, had just finished the race when they put the heat blanket wrap on him and he heard the first blast.
"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."
James Minicucci, who was arriving in Boston by car to meet friends at finish line when explosions happened, told CBSNews.com that the scene was "chaotic."
"Some guy told us it was really bad, that several people lost their legs, there were amputations and not to go through to finish line area," Minicucci said.
A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
Julia Morawoski, who was about ten meters from second explosion, told CBSNews.com that many spectators didn't react with panic until the second blast.
"We all started to push the barriers down to get on to the middle of the street," she said. "People were trying to get away from the buildings - they were scared a third one was going to come. And when I turned around I could just see bloody bodies on the street, right near where we were standing."
"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.
WBZ-TV reports one blast blew out the windows of a Marathon Sports store on Boylston Street.
Live coverage at CBS Boston
Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
"There are people who are really, really bloody," said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."
Massachusetts General Hospital confirms they are treating 22 victims from the blast and six are in critical condition. Brigham and Women's Hospital says they are treating at least 18 patients and two are critical.
Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The White House said President Barack Obama has been notified about the explosions. The administration said it is in contact with state and local authorities and the president directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response.
Vice President Joe Biden was on a conference call with gun control activists when staffers turned on televisions in his office Monday to view coverage of the explosions. Biden said during the call that his prayers were with those who suffered injuries.
"Apparently there has been a bombing," Biden said. "I don't know any of the details of what caused it, who did it. I don't think it exists yet. But our prayers are with those people in Boston who suffered injury."
Shortly after the explosions, Secret Service shut down Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, cordoning off the area with yellow police tape. Several Secret Service patrol cars also blocked off the entry points to the road.
The White House was not on lockdown and tourists and other onlookers were still able to be in the park across the street from the executive mansion.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots that it had created a no-fly zone over the site of the explosions in Boston.
The agency said in a notice issued Monday about an hour after the explosions that a no-fly zone with a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) radius has been created over 811 Boylston Street. The zone is limited to flights under 3,000 feet (914 meters) in altitude, which is lower than most airliners would fly except when taking off or landing.
The notice said the no-fly zone is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. Pilots planning flights were urged to call their local flight service station.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano directed her agency to provide "whatever assistance" necessary.
In Britain, police said they were reviewing security plans for Sunday's London Marathon, the next major international marathon. Thousands of people compete in the London Marathon every year, thronging the city's streets. London is also considered a top target for international terrorists.
A London Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed Monday that police are working with marathon officials to review security plans for Sunday's event. The London race's chief executive, Nick Bitel, expressed shock and sadness about the situation in Boston, saying "it is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends in marathon running."
In New York City, police spokesman Paul Browne said that critical response teams are deployed around the city. Officials were stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations.
Runners who had not finished the Boston race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The nearby Prudential Tower, the city's second-tallest building with an upscale shopping mall on the ground, was evacuated, along with the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, according to media reports.
Race day got started with 26 seconds of silence in honor of the victims of the December school shooting in Connecticut. A little more than 2 hours later, the lead runners passed the Mile 26 marker, which was decorated with the Newtown, Connecticut, seal and dedicated to the memory of those killed there.
The annual 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) marathon takes place on Patriot's Day, a state holiday that celebrates the evacuation of Boston by the British in the American Revolution.
Spectator 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."
Source: CBS
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