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| Boston investigators comb scene in quest for answers as full horror emerges | Boston investigators comb scene in quest for answers as full horror emerges |
| (25 days later) | |
| The citizens of Boston and the US were on Tuesday coming to terms with the worst terror attack on American soil since 9/11, as confusion continued to cloud the source of the bombing and the sketchy details given out by police suggested those responsible might still be at large. | The citizens of Boston and the US were on Tuesday coming to terms with the worst terror attack on American soil since 9/11, as confusion continued to cloud the source of the bombing and the sketchy details given out by police suggested those responsible might still be at large. |
| Copley Square in the heart of Boston has become one massive crime scene, the day after two devices were detonated close to the finishing line of the 117th Boston marathon. At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Ed Davis, the Boston police commissioner, put the current casualty toll at 176 injured, 17 critically, and three dead. | Copley Square in the heart of Boston has become one massive crime scene, the day after two devices were detonated close to the finishing line of the 117th Boston marathon. At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Ed Davis, the Boston police commissioner, put the current casualty toll at 176 injured, 17 critically, and three dead. |
| In a statement from the White House briefing room, President Barack Obama underlined the lack of hard information about what he called the "heinous" acts in Boston, but pointedly made clear the US was now viewing it as "an act of terror". | In a statement from the White House briefing room, President Barack Obama underlined the lack of hard information about what he called the "heinous" acts in Boston, but pointedly made clear the US was now viewing it as "an act of terror". |
| "We do not know if this was an act of an organisation, an individual or individuals and we don't have a sense of motive yet," he said. "Everything else is speculation." | "We do not know if this was an act of an organisation, an individual or individuals and we don't have a sense of motive yet," he said. "Everything else is speculation." |
| As snippets of information emerged, the full horror of the incident became clearer. Several of the injured underwent amputations overnight – four at Massachusetts General hospital alone. | As snippets of information emerged, the full horror of the incident became clearer. Several of the injured underwent amputations overnight – four at Massachusetts General hospital alone. |
| It was also revealed that the devices had been packed with metal fragments and placed close to the ground, leading to a high number of amputations and serious lower body injuries. The Associated Press and CBS News, quoting sources who had been briefed on the investigation, reported that one or both devices had been made from pressure cookers packed with metal and ball bearings. | It was also revealed that the devices had been packed with metal fragments and placed close to the ground, leading to a high number of amputations and serious lower body injuries. The Associated Press and CBS News, quoting sources who had been briefed on the investigation, reported that one or both devices had been made from pressure cookers packed with metal and ball bearings. |
| George Velmahos, chief trauma surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital – where many of the injured were taken in the aftermath of the double explosion – said nails and pellets were removed from the bodies of those hit in the blast. | George Velmahos, chief trauma surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital – where many of the injured were taken in the aftermath of the double explosion – said nails and pellets were removed from the bodies of those hit in the blast. |
| The individual who came to symbolise the tragedy was Martin Richard, an eight-year-old boy from Boston's Dorchester neighbourhood, who was one of the three fatalities. His mother and sister were also badly injured in the attacks, while a third child was unharmed. | The individual who came to symbolise the tragedy was Martin Richard, an eight-year-old boy from Boston's Dorchester neighbourhood, who was one of the three fatalities. His mother and sister were also badly injured in the attacks, while a third child was unharmed. |
| The boy's father, Bill Richard, released a statement in which he thanked those who were praying for his family. "My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries,'' he said. | The boy's father, Bill Richard, released a statement in which he thanked those who were praying for his family. "My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries,'' he said. |
| A second victim was identified as Krystle Campbell, who had been at the finish line to watch her boyfriend complete the race. | A second victim was identified as Krystle Campbell, who had been at the finish line to watch her boyfriend complete the race. |
| As Boston tried to get back to normal business on Tuesday, it was like a town cut in half. On the one hand, the historic town centre was looking its beautiful best, with visitors dining on the sidewalks under a cloudless sky and the brownstone streets adjacent to the bombsite lined with magnolia trees in bloom. | As Boston tried to get back to normal business on Tuesday, it was like a town cut in half. On the one hand, the historic town centre was looking its beautiful best, with visitors dining on the sidewalks under a cloudless sky and the brownstone streets adjacent to the bombsite lined with magnolia trees in bloom. |
| On the other hand, Swat teams armed with machine guns were posted on most street corners and outside the hospitals, and a 12-block area around Boylston Street that formed the crime scene looked as though it had been subject to a military coup. The zone was swarming with detectives, the streets jammed with armored vehicles, and the air resounded to the barking of K-9 sniffer dogs. | On the other hand, Swat teams armed with machine guns were posted on most street corners and outside the hospitals, and a 12-block area around Boylston Street that formed the crime scene looked as though it had been subject to a military coup. The zone was swarming with detectives, the streets jammed with armored vehicles, and the air resounded to the barking of K-9 sniffer dogs. |
| Twenty-four hours after the explosions, some of the fog of confusion that had surrounded the incident in the initial mayhem began to dissipate. The authorities clarified that there were only two explosive devices found – the ones that detonated within seconds of each other – and that speculation of a further five devices had been discounted. Speculation that the bombs had been planted in trash cans was also debunked, with a more solid theory emerging that the devices were carried to the scene in backpacks. | Twenty-four hours after the explosions, some of the fog of confusion that had surrounded the incident in the initial mayhem began to dissipate. The authorities clarified that there were only two explosive devices found – the ones that detonated within seconds of each other – and that speculation of a further five devices had been discounted. Speculation that the bombs had been planted in trash cans was also debunked, with a more solid theory emerging that the devices were carried to the scene in backpacks. |
| But the overwhelming question – who carried out the attacks, and why – went unanswered. Crucially, the basic motives of the attack – whether it was carried out on behalf of some incoherent domestic cause, or in the name of an international terrorist organisation – remained elusive. | But the overwhelming question – who carried out the attacks, and why – went unanswered. Crucially, the basic motives of the attack – whether it was carried out on behalf of some incoherent domestic cause, or in the name of an international terrorist organisation – remained elusive. |
| Special agents of the FBI and about 30 explosives experts from the Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), fanned out across the Boston area and into eastern Massachusetts. Rick DesLauriers, the special agent in charge of the Boston FBI, refused to go into details about specifics of the investigation, but said: "We are working in various locations throughout the area. We continue to interview witnesses and process the crime scene." | Special agents of the FBI and about 30 explosives experts from the Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), fanned out across the Boston area and into eastern Massachusetts. Rick DesLauriers, the special agent in charge of the Boston FBI, refused to go into details about specifics of the investigation, but said: "We are working in various locations throughout the area. We continue to interview witnesses and process the crime scene." |
| He said: "Our mission is clear: to bring to justice those responsible for the marathon bombing. The American public wants answers, and we pledge to do everything possible to get those answers." The investigation would be worldwide, he added, "and we will go to the ends of the earth to identify the suspect or suspects who were responsible for this despicable crime." | He said: "Our mission is clear: to bring to justice those responsible for the marathon bombing. The American public wants answers, and we pledge to do everything possible to get those answers." The investigation would be worldwide, he added, "and we will go to the ends of the earth to identify the suspect or suspects who were responsible for this despicable crime." |
| Before the marathon was held, two bomb sweeps were carried out along its 26.2-mile route – one early on Monday morning and the second about an hour before the frontrunners crossed the finishing line. But as there was open public access to the race, as befitted such an important international sporting event, and the searches proved ultimately powerless to stop the attacks. | Before the marathon was held, two bomb sweeps were carried out along its 26.2-mile route – one early on Monday morning and the second about an hour before the frontrunners crossed the finishing line. But as there was open public access to the race, as befitted such an important international sporting event, and the searches proved ultimately powerless to stop the attacks. |
| The FBI refused to comment on whether there were any firm suspects. DesLauriers would not say whether or not an overnight search of an apartment in the Revere neighbourhood of north-east Boston had thrown up any useful evidence, and early speculation revolving around one patient being treated in hospital was tamped down when the authorities made clear he was a witness and not a suspect. | The FBI refused to comment on whether there were any firm suspects. DesLauriers would not say whether or not an overnight search of an apartment in the Revere neighbourhood of north-east Boston had thrown up any useful evidence, and early speculation revolving around one patient being treated in hospital was tamped down when the authorities made clear he was a witness and not a suspect. |
| Davis repeated his insistence of Monday night that no one was in custody. The apparent lack of arrests suggests that the perpetrator or perpetrators are still at large. Perhaps with that in mind, senior law enforcers have been stressing that they have no information of any further imminent threat. | Davis repeated his insistence of Monday night that no one was in custody. The apparent lack of arrests suggests that the perpetrator or perpetrators are still at large. Perhaps with that in mind, senior law enforcers have been stressing that they have no information of any further imminent threat. |
| "We know of no additional threats," DesLauriers said. However, his words of calm were apparently contradicted by Davis, who said: "We want you to go about your business, [and] lead your lives, but there is a threat, and we are working hard to reduce that threat." | "We know of no additional threats," DesLauriers said. However, his words of calm were apparently contradicted by Davis, who said: "We want you to go about your business, [and] lead your lives, but there is a threat, and we are working hard to reduce that threat." |
| Obama paid tribute to the first-responders, medical staff and those who gave blood in Boston, saying: "If you want to know who we are, what America is, it is these people: selfless and not afraid." | Obama paid tribute to the first-responders, medical staff and those who gave blood in Boston, saying: "If you want to know who we are, what America is, it is these people: selfless and not afraid." |
| Timothy Alben, the superintendent of the Massachusetts police, said there would be an enhanced law enforcement presence throughout Boston and the state, but made a point of saying it was merely to "provide some comfort to the public going about their business" and not in response to any intelligence of continued danger. | Timothy Alben, the superintendent of the Massachusetts police, said there would be an enhanced law enforcement presence throughout Boston and the state, but made a point of saying it was merely to "provide some comfort to the public going about their business" and not in response to any intelligence of continued danger. |
| The FBI says that a phone line set up to receive public information about the incident had brought in "voluminous tips" which officers and agents were now starting to process. As the hours tick by, the pressure is clearly on for some sign of progress in the investigation. Central to that is likely to be the mountain of digital film footage that detectives will have at their disposal. The centre of Boston is among the world's most heavily videod urban areas, with cameras on virtually every street corner. | The FBI says that a phone line set up to receive public information about the incident had brought in "voluminous tips" which officers and agents were now starting to process. As the hours tick by, the pressure is clearly on for some sign of progress in the investigation. Central to that is likely to be the mountain of digital film footage that detectives will have at their disposal. The centre of Boston is among the world's most heavily videod urban areas, with cameras on virtually every street corner. |
| Moreover, the marathon had attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators, many of whom were congregated around the finishing line, and many of whom were wielding cameras. Davis appealed for anyone with footage from shortly before or after the blast to come forward. He said: "It's our intention to go through every single frame." | Moreover, the marathon had attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators, many of whom were congregated around the finishing line, and many of whom were wielding cameras. Davis appealed for anyone with footage from shortly before or after the blast to come forward. He said: "It's our intention to go through every single frame." |
| As the hunt continues for the perpetrators, Boston authorities are also concentrating on helping the wounded and their families heal. A support centre has been set up in the centre of the town, and on Wednesday a multi-faith prayer service is likely to be held in the city. | As the hunt continues for the perpetrators, Boston authorities are also concentrating on helping the wounded and their families heal. A support centre has been set up in the centre of the town, and on Wednesday a multi-faith prayer service is likely to be held in the city. |
| The mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, attempted to put the city's spirit into words. Speaking from a wheelchair as he recovers from a broken leg, he said: "It's a bad day for Boston, but if we pull together we will get through it. Boston will overcome." | The mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, attempted to put the city's spirit into words. Speaking from a wheelchair as he recovers from a broken leg, he said: "It's a bad day for Boston, but if we pull together we will get through it. Boston will overcome." |
| • This article was amended on 18 April 2013. The original said this year's race was the 177th Boston Marathon. | • This article was amended on 18 April 2013. The original said this year's race was the 177th Boston Marathon. |
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