Thousands of people lined the streets earlier today for the running of the Boston Marathon. This year marked the 117th annual marathon. Boston’s yearly event is the world’s oldest marathon. The race is 26.2 miles long and started after a moment of silence to honor the Sandy Hook victims. Who knew such a bright journey would have such a deadly end.
According to NY Daily News at least two people are dead and more than twenty were injured after a pair of blasts rocked the finish line around 3:00 p.m. ET at the finish line of the marathon. New York Times says according to the Boston Police a third explosion was heard near the sight about an hour after the first two sent police and medical responders scrambling.
The Red Cross has established a website to help people find loved ones they may have been involved in the event. CNN has a page that is updated at least once an hour with information. According to CNN’s news page the third bomb went off at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Figures from three different hospitals place the number of injured around 50 with new information still continuing to flow in.
The explosions near the finish line sent smoke billowing into the crowd at Copley Square turning a site of celebration into sits of mass destruction. It is still unclear who planted the bombs. No one has come forward at this time to claim responsibility.
Hotels located near Copley Square were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Police said the bombs were 50 to 100yds apart from each other. The Governor of Massachusetts released a statement, "My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. I have been in touch with the President, Mayor (Thomas) 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."
Organizers of the upcoming marathon in London sent their condolences stating, "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news from Boston," London Marathon officials said Monday. "Our immediate thoughts are with the people there and their families. It is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends and colleagues in marathon running. Our security plan is developed jointly with the Metropolitan Police and we were in contact with them as soon as we heard the news."
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