In a major terror strike on the United States of America, three explosions rocked Boston on Monday, killing three people and injuring at least 140 others. Major US cities including New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Fransisco have been put on high alert following the multiple terror attacks.
Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon where all the casualties took place in a terrifying scene of broken glass, smoke and severed limbs at the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon, authorities said. The injured included at least eight children.
A third blast rocked the John F Kennedy Library several miles (kilometers) away and more than an hour later, but no injuries were reported, police said. The blast at the John F Kennedy Library appears to be fire related.
A senior US intelligence official said two other explosive devices were found near the marathon finish line. New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco have all been put on high alert and cell phone services have been shut down in Boston to prevent remote detonations of any more possible bombs.
Authorities looking for a dark skinned or black person with a black backpack, people in Boston have been asked to be vigilant. The FBI has taken charge of investigations of these bombings. FBI say they are beginning criminal investigations but it could possibly evolve into a terror investigation.
Addressing the country, US President Barack Obama vowed to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators of the blasts. "I send my deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims. We will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable. I have directed the federal government to increase security around the US as necessary after Boston explosions," said Obama.
There was no immediate word on the motive or who may have launched the attack and authorities in Washington said there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Some 27,000 runners took part in the 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) race.
The twin blasts at the race took place almost simultaneously and about 100 meters apart, tearing limbs off numerous people, knocking spectators and at least one runner off their feet, shattering windows and sending smoke rising over the street.
As people wailed in agony, bloody spectators were carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.
Mobile phone service was shut down in the Boston area to prevent any possible remote detonations of explosives, a law enforcement official said. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis asked people to stay indoors or go back to their hotel rooms and avoid crowds as bomb squads checked parcels and bags left along the race route.
The Federal Aviation Administration barred low-flying aircraft from within 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) of the site.
"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."
About two hours after the winners crossed the finish line in the heart of central Boston, 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 132 others injured. At least 17 of the wounded were in critical condition, according to hospitals.
A senior US intelligence official said the two other explosive devices found nearby were being dismantled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised 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.
Competitors and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos. Authorities went onto the course to carry away the injured while race stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site.
Roupen Bastajian, a 35-year-old state trooper from Smithfield, RI, 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."
A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
"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.
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."
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.
President Barack Obama was briefed on the explosions by Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco. Obama also told Mayor Tom Menino and Governor Deval Patrick that his administration would provide whatever support was needed, the White House said.
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.
Attorney General Eric Holder directed the full resources of the Justice Department be deployed to investigate and a department official said Holder has spoken with FBI Director Robert Mueller. The official said the US attorney for Massachusetts's office was coordinating the Justice Department's response with the FBI and other federal, state and local law enforcement authorities.
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