From the Time newsfeed:
Mayhem descended on the Boston marathon Monday afternoon. Roughly three hours after the winners crossed the finish line, there was reportedly a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion was heard by spectators a few seconds later. Initial reports pointed to multiple injuries.
Bloody spectators were being carried Monday to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. Police wove through competitors as they ran back toward the course. “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. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
“There are people who are really, really bloody,” said Runner Laura McLean of Toronto, who reported hearing two explosions outside the medical tent. “They were pulling them into the medical tent.”
So far there are no confirmed fatalities. Hope it stays that way.
I think it's worthwhile not to assume it's terrorism: it's at least possible it could be a gas main explosion, or something. Even with two explosions. Let's wait and see.
They don't know the cause yet.
Reuters has a Live Blog set up on it.
Three dead confirmed so far.
They seem to be focusing on bombs that were in packages at street level since there are so many leg injuries.
Okay I won't yet jump to conclusions. I fear the worst that it was an intentional act.
I think it's worthwhile not to assume it's terrorism: it's at least possible it could be a gas main explosion, or something. Even with two explosions. Let's wait and see.
I agree. It's harder with two, however.
Watching MSNBC. This looks horrible. The reporters are being very specific that nothing's been confirmed yet and there are no official statements, but given the timing and the location of the explosions, it's hard not to think domestic terrorism.
I fear the worst that it was an intentional act.
That's my presumption. It sure doesn't look like a gas-main explosion. And having it set at the finish line looks very purposeful.
