Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

@samfbiddle via Twitter

UPDATED: Three dead, 140 injured in Boston Marathon blasts

US media outlets are reporting that an eight-year-old was killed in the explosions.

Initially posted 20.07; Updated 07.00

TWO EXPLOSIONS CAUSED devastation at the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday afternoon, resulting in three deaths and dozens more injuries.

US media outlets, citing a law enforcement source who was briefed on the investigation, are reporting that an 8-year-old boy is among the dead.

Authorities confirmed that at least three people died in the explosions. About 140 more were injured. It is understood that at least 15 people are in a critical condition and many more have injuries described as “serious”. Injuries range from shrapnel wounds to limb amputations.

“The number of injuries is an unfolding issue, we will not have hard figures until this morning,” police commissioner Ed Davis told reporters at a press briefing at 1.45am (Irish time). He added that the blasts were powerful so there were “serious, serious injuries”.

The explosions occurred near the grandstand area at Boylston Street about four hours and nine minutes after the marathon began.

The police chief again dismissed rumours that a suspect is in custody.

“There is no suspect at Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” he said, adding he wanted to “fix” those erroneous reports. It has been confirmed that 20 people are being treated there.

“There are people we are talking to,” he confirmed. Earlier reports suggested there was a person of interest being treated at the medical centre.

FBI investigator Rick DesLauriers, who will lead the joint terrorism investigation, said that he could not offer comment on “specific leads”.

“There is an investigative activity ongoing. Again, it is a very active and fluid investigation at this time.”

Speaking from The Westin Hotel, Davis said federal, state and local authorities will ‘turn every rock over to find those responsible for this cowardly act’.

Children hurt

A number of the victims of the blasts are minors. Boston Children’s Hospital has confirmed that it is treating 10 patients.

According to Reuters journalist Edith Honan, the injury list includes leg traumas, fractures and two head injuries to a 14-year-old and a two-year-old.

Another of the injured is a student at Boston University.

Earlier reports that “multiple explosive devices” have been found in the city were also dismissed by Davis. He said all packages, bags and other items discarded by runners in the area are being treated as suspicious and are being examined by explosive experts.

“Anything that is unattended is being treated as a potential problem,” he explained. “We are methodically going through the area.”

Massachusetts General Hospital asked all staff to remain at work as it deals with the emergency. Doctors there are treating 29 patients and the hospital’s Incident Command System has been activated. It is understood that security has been provided at all area hospitals.

Some 23,000 runners took part in the race, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathons.

Stay calm but vigilent

Authorities have asked the public to stay at home and to avoid congregating in large groups tonight.

They described the situation as “ongoing”. Governor Deval Patrick said it will “not be business as usual” in the city tomorrow either. He explained security will be ramped up and urged residents to be extra vigilant.

He asked citizens to report suspicious activity and to be patient as there will be random security checks of parcels, backpacks and other items.

He thanked residents for the “extraordinary kindness” being shown to runners, neighbours and visitors “shaken by this experience”.

“We are going to get through this,” he added.

A third incident at JFK Library was confirmed by police earlier today but it has now been described as “fire related”. It is not thought to be linked to the race explosions. There were no injuries in the fire.

Addressing the American people from the White House, US President Barack Obama pledged that authorities would find out who carried out the attack.

“The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight,” he said adding that it was a “senseless loss”.

Mayor of New York Bloomberg also said the city’s thoughts and prayers were with the City of Boston.

Security in Manhattan has been ramped up. The Mayor’s office said NYPD is “stepping up security at hotels and prominent locations in NYC until more is known about the Boston Marathon”.

TheJournal.ie understands that 50 people with Irish addresses had registered to participate in the race. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Irish consulate was making contact with emergency services in the area but information gathered so far indicates that no Irish citizens were caught up in the blasts.

An Irish eye-witness described the scene at the line as “chaos” with people “stampeding” to escape the area.

Scotland Yard in London said it would be reviewing its security arrangements ahead of the city’s marathon this weekend.

Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry, event commander for the London Marathon, said: “A security plan is in place for the London Marathon. We will be reviewing our security arrangements in partnership with London Marathon.”

Here is the initial broadcast of the explosions from CNN:

Updated: So far no reports of Irish caught up in marathon blasts

Read more coverage of the Boston Marathon explosions>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
235 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mart_n
    Favourite mart_n
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 9:34 PM

    What a load of bollix. ‘Al Qaeda’s Second in command’ killed.. what does that even mean? I’m pretty sure the second in command has been killed a few times already. Right on the anniversary of the big day too… A lot of people must not have closed their eyes on 9/11, because their wishes for a better world aren’t coming true.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 10:02 PM

    Well I chose to believe he is Al Qaeda and I’m happy for him, that he has been granted his most fervent of holiest of desires. He has gone to meet his maker.

    It’s just a pity that with this one gone there are a dozen more to take his place.

    BTW I’m not saying who is right or who is wrong. I have not studied this unholy mess enough to be able to declare any sort of definitive statement.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Culligan
    Favourite Jason Culligan
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 10:24 PM

    Mart, can I ask you an honest question? If you’re running a business and one of your managers leave, are you going to replace him/her? Of course you are. The second in command has been killed a few times because they’ve killed a few across the globe and all were different individuals. They did kill the top, Bin Laden, in Pakistan so obviously they’re capable of promoting people.

    24
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Geraghty
    Favourite Aidan Geraghty
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 10:45 PM

    But i see Mart’s point….

    But like, Al Queda are a bunch out of control nut cases so is there really a ‘second in command’ ? it’s silly talk.

    I’d have more faith in the announcement if they said ‘one of the biggest headers in Al Queda was bursted’

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:03 PM

    Well technically lads this is the No 2 in Yemen. I’m sure they have more no 2′s in other national branches like afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq , Sudan etc.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Tuohy
    Favourite Michael Tuohy
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:05 PM

    It means the 2nd in command was killed! luder

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:06 PM

    I reckon they should just target the nasty human resources manager who keeps filling the top vacancy’s and be done with it.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin
    Favourite Martin
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:59 PM

    How can u have a second in command for organization that doesn’t excist except on database in the pentagon. Its ridiculous to say that there is any structure to islamic fundementalists its a patsy organisation.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Favourite Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 2:30 AM

    Al queda are a peacefull organisation. Its full of holymen and dogooders. Where did they get misunderstood along the way?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin
    Favourite Martin
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 9:06 AM

    It’s a phantom group created by the Americans in the 1980′s and used to keep a neverending war on terror going. For god sake the Bushes and the Bin-Laden families were in bussiness to-gether in a Oil company called Arbusco in the 80′s and 90′s.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin
    Favourite Martin
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 9:16 AM

    Please ignore misplaced hyphen above…thanks!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Éamonn Tiernan
    Favourite Éamonn Tiernan
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 9:16 PM

    Is Chandler alright?!?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Breen
    Favourite Paul Breen
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 11:13 AM

    Yes, this happened nowhere near Yemen Road.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alan
    Favourite alan
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:04 PM

    the real issue here isnt whether or they are killing the first second or third or hundreth in command. the real issue is the number of people being killed in afghanistan and iraq every day. the killing there, on both sides, continues unabated. so much for the success of the invasions

    and it is amazing the way that the americans won’t admit to al q not being a traditional military force. they surely cannot believe that headline grabbers like this will distract from a serious analysis of what al q actually areand how they operate?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stewie Griffin
    Favourite Stewie Griffin
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:54 PM

    your right alan. but i cant fault the usa in going to war in Afghanistan it had to happen really and could have been avoided by the Taliban and in a way it was good that the americans went in. Of course there are alot being killed. but its it more or less then if the Taliban (murders) were left in power. shooting woman and little girls for rumours ??

    Iraq thats different story that was completely wrong and i believe for this g.w.bush and tony blair should be held to account for the implosion of iraq and the descent into chaos . they expected a clean war like the first gulf war but like churchill said when you go to war you go into a world that unpredictable and you cannot control the outcome of events.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Noonan
    Favourite Declan Noonan
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 1:43 AM

    Alan, you do realize that yemini troops killed this guy. Have you ask the govt of yemen why they are going after al Qaeda? Is because they pose a risk in Yemen?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Edward Carr
    Favourite Edward Carr
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 10:53 PM

    I’m sure he was al qaeda but really every few weeks the second in command is killed they must be pumping them out on the factory line by the 100s

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stewie Griffin
    Favourite Stewie Griffin
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:02 PM

    true but your getting rid of the experienced guys at the top bit by bit that fought the soviets and organised the big terror events. Losing that experience is what matters, can always replace but what are you replacing with if you get me

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Little Jim
    Favourite Little Jim
    Report
    Sep 10th 2012, 11:22 PM

    Rehabilitation programme in Saudi Arabia?
    Well that didn’t work.
    The man must have had serious connections.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JP SHERRY
    Favourite JP SHERRY
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 12:40 AM

    Trial by bullet

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Favourite Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Report
    Sep 11th 2012, 2:33 AM

    I don’t believe a word of it. Bin laden was such a friendly looming chap.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.