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As night falls in Boston, here's what is known.
Two bombs exploded Monday afternoon near the finish line of the Boston Marathon in the city's Back Bay area. The first explosion at about 2:40 p.m. was followed quickly by a second about 100 yards down Boylston Street. "When the smoke cleared, dozens of victims lay in the street, some unconscious, some grievously injured, including some whose limbs had been torn off by the blast," the Boston Globe reported. The newspaper has made all of its content free on its website to non-subscribers: BostonGlobe.com
* Update at 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday: Police say no unexploded bombs were found, contradicting original reports.
- The Globe reports that three people are known dead and at least 176 are injured. The dead include an eight-year-old boy. Children are among the injured being treated at seven Boston-area hospitals. Many of the injured have lost limbs.
- Original reports of a third explosion at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Dorchester have since been discounted. There was a fire that authorities call unrelated.
- Police say that no unexploded devices were found along the marathon route.
- There have been no arrests and no suspects were mentioned at Tuesday morning's press conference. On Monday, an injured "person of interest" of Saudi origin was reportedly interviewed by the FBI and Boston police at Boston's Brigham and Women’s Hospital. From CBS News:
- The FBI has taken taken the lead in the investigation and will hold a 9:30 a.m. Tuesday press conference at the Westin Copley Plaza hotel.
- Boston mayor's Hotline for families of victims: 617-635-4500
- Boston police line for witnesses who may have information: 800-494-8477
- At the White House, President Barack Obama offered Boston any federal assistance it wanted and said that whoever is responsible will be brought to justice.
- The explosions occurred more than four hours after the race began, so the elite runners were already finished but many of the 23,000 to 27,000 racers (accounts vary) were still approaching the finish line.
- The New York Post alone has been reporting much of the day that 12 people are dead, citing an unnamed "federal law enforcement source."
- A no-fly zone was established around Boston after the explosions and takeoffs were grounded for a time at Logan International Airport.
- Tonight's NHL game in Boston was postponed, and tomorrow's NBA game was cancelled.
- I suspect this will likely be one of the iconic photos from the scene, by John Tlumacki of the Boston Globe. It's the lead photo on many news websites:
He was seen "acting suspiciously" running from the explosion, and a civilian chased him down and tackled him. He was turned over to Boston police and is being questioned by the FBI. He is being cooperative and denies any involvement.
Upper photo: David L. Ryan/Boston Globe
