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| Blasts at Boston Marathon Kill 2 | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| BOSTON — Two bombs exploded near the finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday, leaving two people dead and dozens more wounded. | |
| A third explosion was heard just before 4 p.m., about an hour after the first two blasts, at the nearby John F. Kennedy Library. The police later said that episode may have been unrelated. | A third explosion was heard just before 4 p.m., about an hour after the first two blasts, at the nearby John F. Kennedy Library. The police later said that episode may have been unrelated. |
| The two explosions, which occurred seconds apart, created a chaotic scene, as wounded runners and bloodied spectators were helped to a nearby tent that was being used for weary runners, The Associated Press reported. Some were crying and several said they saw limbs on the ground. | The two explosions, which occurred seconds apart, created a chaotic scene, as wounded runners and bloodied spectators were helped to a nearby tent that was being used for weary runners, The Associated Press reported. Some were crying and several said they saw limbs on the ground. |
| Many blocks around the race’s finish line were cordoned off while the police began an investigation. | Many blocks around the race’s finish line were cordoned off while the police began an investigation. |
| Police officials said they did not yet have any suspects in custody. A person briefed on preliminary developments in the investigation said that members of Boston’s Joint Terrorist Task Force were at Brigham and Women’s Hospital interviewing a wounded man seen running from the scene of the two blasts, near 671 Boylston Street. The person said that police investigators had contacted the local gas and electric company and determined that the explosions were not related to gas or electrical service. | Police officials said they did not yet have any suspects in custody. A person briefed on preliminary developments in the investigation said that members of Boston’s Joint Terrorist Task Force were at Brigham and Women’s Hospital interviewing a wounded man seen running from the scene of the two blasts, near 671 Boylston Street. The person said that police investigators had contacted the local gas and electric company and determined that the explosions were not related to gas or electrical service. |
| The authorities also found a device at St. James and Trinity Streets that did not explode, the person said, and two other devices were found, including one in Newton, outside of Boston. | The authorities also found a device at St. James and Trinity Streets that did not explode, the person said, and two other devices were found, including one in Newton, outside of Boston. |
| The Mandarin, Marriott and Lenox hotels were evacuated because of reports of suspicious packages, but no confirmed explosive devices have yet been found at those hotels. | |
| The person also said that the maritime security level in Boston was raised from level one to level two; three is the highest level. | The person also said that the maritime security level in Boston was raised from level one to level two; three is the highest level. |
| “We’re treating this as an ongoing event at this time,” Edward F. Davis, Boston’s police commissioner, said at a late afternoon news conference. | “We’re treating this as an ongoing event at this time,” Edward F. Davis, Boston’s police commissioner, said at a late afternoon news conference. |
| He said he was unsure whether the first two explosions were related, but that his department was treating them as such. He added that the police had no advance warning of the explosions. | He said he was unsure whether the first two explosions were related, but that his department was treating them as such. He added that the police had no advance warning of the explosions. |
| The commissioner declined to call the blasts a terrorist attack, but said, “you can reach your own conclusions about what happened here.” | The commissioner declined to call the blasts a terrorist attack, but said, “you can reach your own conclusions about what happened here.” |
| At the White House, President Obama said that those responsible would “feel the full weight of justice.” | At the White House, President Obama said that those responsible would “feel the full weight of justice.” |
| Several news outlets reported that a loud explosion was heard on the north side of Boylston Street, near a photo bridge that marks the finish line, at about 3 p.m. Another explosion was heard shortly afterward. The first two blasts occurred about 50 to 100 yards apart, Mr. Davis said, about four hours after the start of the men’s race, which meant that there were still several thousand runners yet to finish the course. | Several news outlets reported that a loud explosion was heard on the north side of Boylston Street, near a photo bridge that marks the finish line, at about 3 p.m. Another explosion was heard shortly afterward. The first two blasts occurred about 50 to 100 yards apart, Mr. Davis said, about four hours after the start of the men’s race, which meant that there were still several thousand runners yet to finish the course. |
| Mr. Davis added that a “controlled explosion” also took place on Boylston Street. | Mr. Davis added that a “controlled explosion” also took place on Boylston Street. |
| People were also cleared from an area around the Copley Plaza Hotel after a package was found on a footbridge nearby. | People were also cleared from an area around the Copley Plaza Hotel after a package was found on a footbridge nearby. |
| More than 23,000 runners started the race and 17,600 had already crossed the finish line. Nearly 4,500 other runners did not finish and were presumably diverted from the course. | More than 23,000 runners started the race and 17,600 had already crossed the finish line. Nearly 4,500 other runners did not finish and were presumably diverted from the course. |
| Will Ritter, the press secretary for Gabriel Gomez, a Republican candidate for Senate, was trying to arrange a party for Mr. Gomez, who was running the marathon. He said the explosions sounded like the end of a fireworks display, “the concussions you send off, it sounded like that.” | Will Ritter, the press secretary for Gabriel Gomez, a Republican candidate for Senate, was trying to arrange a party for Mr. Gomez, who was running the marathon. He said the explosions sounded like the end of a fireworks display, “the concussions you send off, it sounded like that.” |
| People started screaming, “Bomb! Run!” People ran east while the police ran west, Mr. Ritter said, adding that he saw injured people being wheeled away. Many runners never made it to the finish line. “These people are at the edge of their physical ability, wandering around sweaty and wondering where to go.” | People started screaming, “Bomb! Run!” People ran east while the police ran west, Mr. Ritter said, adding that he saw injured people being wheeled away. Many runners never made it to the finish line. “These people are at the edge of their physical ability, wandering around sweaty and wondering where to go.” |
| Authorities in large cities are typically on the highest level of alert for events like a marathon, said Anthony Roman, a security expert. | Authorities in large cities are typically on the highest level of alert for events like a marathon, said Anthony Roman, a security expert. |
| “It is quite the counterterrorism effort,” said Mr. Roman, who runs Roman & Associates, a New York firm. | “It is quite the counterterrorism effort,” said Mr. Roman, who runs Roman & Associates, a New York firm. |
| For major events in New York and other large cities, Mr. Roman said the police would typically weld manhole covers shut, while also examining the entire route just before the race. They would also place snipers on rooftops, with helicopters overhead. Analytic cameras in the city would also be used, he said. | For major events in New York and other large cities, Mr. Roman said the police would typically weld manhole covers shut, while also examining the entire route just before the race. They would also place snipers on rooftops, with helicopters overhead. Analytic cameras in the city would also be used, he said. |
| “They have all the analytic cameras in the city focusing on the race with their advanced software network, reading license plates,” Mr. Roman said. | “They have all the analytic cameras in the city focusing on the race with their advanced software network, reading license plates,” Mr. Roman said. |
| The Boston Marathon, established in 1897 and one of the six World Marathon Majors, is one of running’s most storied events. It typically attracts an estimated 500,000 spectators and requires certain qualifying times for most runners to compete. | The Boston Marathon, established in 1897 and one of the six World Marathon Majors, is one of running’s most storied events. It typically attracts an estimated 500,000 spectators and requires certain qualifying times for most runners to compete. |
| David Monti, editor and publisher of Race Results Weekly, was already back at his hotel when the explosions went off. But he said because the Boston Marathon has a staggered start, “finisher density was high” when the bombs exploded. “Most race organizers have security plans in place, but let’s face it, marathons are no different than other street celebrations like parades.” | David Monti, editor and publisher of Race Results Weekly, was already back at his hotel when the explosions went off. But he said because the Boston Marathon has a staggered start, “finisher density was high” when the bombs exploded. “Most race organizers have security plans in place, but let’s face it, marathons are no different than other street celebrations like parades.” |
| Based on last year’s finish, more than half of the runners — or about 11,000 people — would have crossed the finish line within 30 minutes of the first two explosions. | Based on last year’s finish, more than half of the runners — or about 11,000 people — would have crossed the finish line within 30 minutes of the first two explosions. |
| The course winds through several outlying cities, including Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley and Newton, before it ends in downtown Boston. | The course winds through several outlying cities, including Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley and Newton, before it ends in downtown Boston. |
| Unlike many sporting events that take place in closed arenas, marathons are known and heralded for their sprawl, allowing throngs of spectators to line the 26.2-mile course. | Unlike many sporting events that take place in closed arenas, marathons are known and heralded for their sprawl, allowing throngs of spectators to line the 26.2-mile course. |
| Within minutes of the explosions on Monday, social media and cable networks projected the images of gray smoke on Boylston Street, with emergency crews on the scene. | Within minutes of the explosions on Monday, social media and cable networks projected the images of gray smoke on Boylston Street, with emergency crews on the scene. |
| After the explosions, a spokesman for the New York Police Department said security was being increased at hotels and other prominent locations in New York. The New York Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sent officials to Boston as well. | After the explosions, a spokesman for the New York Police Department said security was being increased at hotels and other prominent locations in New York. The New York Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sent officials to Boston as well. |
| Flights in and out of Boston were grounded and the airspace over Washington, D.C. was closed. | Flights in and out of Boston were grounded and the airspace over Washington, D.C. was closed. |
Reporting was contributed by Steve Eder, Ashley Parker, William K. Rashbaum, Katharine Q. Seelye and Mary Pilon from New York, Eric Schmitt from Washington, and | Reporting was contributed by Steve Eder, Ashley Parker, William K. Rashbaum, Katharine Q. Seelye and Mary Pilon from New York, Eric Schmitt and Michael S. Schmidt from Washington, and Josh Elliott and Tim Rohan from Boston. |