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Boston Marathon: Obama attends bomb ceremony | Boston Marathon: Obama attends bomb ceremony |
(35 minutes later) | |
US President Barack Obama is in Boston attending a memorial service for victims of Monday's marathon bombing. | |
The president will address an interfaith ceremony as the search for suspects continues. | |
His visit comes as investigators found clear video images of two potential suspects carrying black bags. | |
Two bombs were detonated near the finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 170. | Two bombs were detonated near the finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 170. |
Roads were closed around the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the main Roman Catholic cathedral in Boston, ahead of the president's arrival on Thursday. | |
A heavy police presence was seen in the area as residents waited - some arriving before dawn - for one of about 2,000 seats inside. | A heavy police presence was seen in the area as residents waited - some arriving before dawn - for one of about 2,000 seats inside. |
Before his visit, the president declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts, which would allow the state to access federal funding to deal with the aftermath of the attacks. | |
President Obama appeared sombre as he joined city leaders, residents and victims at the prayer service. | President Obama appeared sombre as he joined city leaders, residents and victims at the prayer service. |
Afterwards, he was expected to meet emergency workers and the families of victims, a White House spokesman said. | |
Former Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney was also expected to attend the prayer ceremony. | |
On Thursday Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the FBI wanted to speak to two men, but did not say they were suspects. | |
"There is some video that raised the question" about the two men, Ms Napolitano said, although she did not give details of what was seen on the tape. | |
Ms Napolitano would not say whether the attacks were suspected to be the work of a domestic or foreign group, but said the investigation was continuing "apace". | |
She added that security had been ramped up at airports and transport hubs. | |
The FBI has denied a flurry of reports on Wednesday that a suspect had been arrested. | |
Officials have not said if they would publicly release more details of the case. | |
Authorities had reportedly considered making an appeal to the public for more information on Wednesday, but the press briefing was cancelled after several delays. | |
Investigators have been sifting through thousands of pieces of evidence, ranging from video recorded on mobile phones to fragments of shrapnel removed from the victims. | Investigators have been sifting through thousands of pieces of evidence, ranging from video recorded on mobile phones to fragments of shrapnel removed from the victims. |
Officials said a circuit board and battery pack - parts of a triggering mechanism - had been recovered and the lid of a pressure cooker, apparently blown off during the explosion, was found on the roof of a nearby building. | Officials said a circuit board and battery pack - parts of a triggering mechanism - had been recovered and the lid of a pressure cooker, apparently blown off during the explosion, was found on the roof of a nearby building. |
The bombs are believed to have consisted of explosives placed in pressure cookers, one with shards of metal and ball bearings, the other with nails. | |
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the bombs, which a source said had been placed in black bags and left on the ground. | Nobody has claimed responsibility for the bombs, which a source said had been placed in black bags and left on the ground. |
The twin blasts killed Martin Richard, aged eight, Krystle Campbell, 29, and Lu Lingzi, a postgraduate student from China. | The twin blasts killed Martin Richard, aged eight, Krystle Campbell, 29, and Lu Lingzi, a postgraduate student from China. |
Shards and shrapnel | Shards and shrapnel |
Dozens remain in hospital following the bombs, many of them seriously injured. | Dozens remain in hospital following the bombs, many of them seriously injured. |
It is reported that 10 victims have had limbs amputated. Nails and ball bearings were said to be embedded in their flesh. | |
Boston Medical Center trauma surgery chief Peter Burke said hospitals were saving "large quantities" of fragments extracted from victims as evidence for the police. | |
"We have a lot of lower extremity injuries, so I think the damage was low to the ground," Dr Burke said. | "We have a lot of lower extremity injuries, so I think the damage was low to the ground," Dr Burke said. |
"The patients who do have head injuries were blown into things or were hit by fragments that went up." | "The patients who do have head injuries were blown into things or were hit by fragments that went up." |
At least 58 of the injured have been released from various hospitals around the city, according to AP. | At least 58 of the injured have been released from various hospitals around the city, according to AP. |
At least 14 bombing victims, including three children, remain in hospital in a critical condition. | |
The first explosion went off close to the finish line at about 14:50 local time (18:50 GMT) on Monday. | The first explosion went off close to the finish line at about 14:50 local time (18:50 GMT) on Monday. |
Seconds later, as rescuers were rushing to help the injured, another explosion went off nearby. | Seconds later, as rescuers were rushing to help the injured, another explosion went off nearby. |
The London marathon - the next major international marathon - is to go ahead on Sunday. | The London marathon - the next major international marathon - is to go ahead on Sunday. |
Organisers have said they will hold a 30-second silence at the start as a mark of respect. | Organisers have said they will hold a 30-second silence at the start as a mark of respect. |