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Boston Marathon hit by explosions Boston Marathon hit by explosions
(31 minutes later)
Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon race have left an unknown number of people injured. An unknown number of people have been injured after two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, causing panic and confusion at one of the biggest sporting events in the US.
Video and photographs from Boston show a scene of confusion, with emergency services descending on the scene and bloodied spectators being taken to a medical tent. Bloodied victims were initially rushed to a medical tent set up to care for fatigued runners, with some then taken to hospital.
Emergency services descended on the scene, which was quickly locked down.
The cause of the explosions has yet to be confirmed.
"There are a lot of people down," said one runner quoted by AP news agency."There are a lot of people down," said one runner quoted by AP news agency.
The incident reportedly came about three hours after the winners crossed the line.The incident reportedly came about three hours after the winners crossed the line.
"There was an explosion, police, fire and EMS are on the scene. We have no indication of how many people are injured," spokeswoman for the Boston Police Department said. The Associated Press news agency said there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the bridge that marks the finish line. Another loud explosion could be heard a few seconds later, and smoke could be seen rising from the scene of the blasts.
AP said there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the bridge that marks the finish line. Another loud explosion could be heard a few seconds later. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the shopping and tourist area known as Back Bay.
Mike Mitchell of Vancouver, Canada, a runner who had finished the race said he was looking back at the finish line and saw a "massive explosion." Mike Mitchell of Vancouver, Canada, a runner who had finished the race, said he was looking back at the finish line when he saw a "massive explosion."
Smoke rose 50ft (15m) in the air, he told Reuters news agency, and people began running away and screaming after hearing the noise. Smoke rose 50ft (15m) in the air, he told Reuters news agency, and people began running away and screaming after hearing the noise. "Everybody freaked out," he said.
"Everybody freaked out," he said.
Stragglers heading for the finish line were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts as the scene was locked down.Stragglers heading for the finish line were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts as the scene was locked down.
The Eastern Massachusetts branch of the Red Cross has set up a disaster response centre in the area. The annual Boston Marathon attracting a large field of runners and tens of thousands of spectators.