3 Dead, Many Injured in Boston Marathon Explosions

Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon have resulted in injuries. Bloody spectators were being carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. Police wove through competitors as they ran back toward the course.

About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Rabbi Meir Zarchi spoke exclusively with CrownHeights.info, he told us how he was just a blocks away when he heard the explosions. “I was a block away and people were running, really hurt, what I saw today I have never seen in my life” he said.

On his way with an acquaintance to watch the marathon finish line, the Rabbi had just walked out of a Starbucks when the explosion was heard.

The explosion occurred in the VIP stands at the finish line which is in Boston’s Copley Square.

Updates:

8:51pm: Chicago police confirm a third fatality. One of whom is reported to be an 8-year-old girl.

7:29pm: Law enforcement confirmed that one of the fatalities was an 8-year-old child.

5:41pm: FOX News is reporting that a person of interest is in custody. “Authorities were guarding a person of interest at a local hospital, sources told FoxNews.com. The person, who sources said was 20 years old, had severe burns, but authorities had not determined whether the person was a victim or a perpetrator. The FBI, which was treating the bombing as a terrorist investigation, was analyzing video from several area surveillance cameras.”

5:34pm: Rabbi Mendy Uminer, Shliach in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts told CrownHeights.info that no Shluchim were running in this marathon. In the past Shluchim have, but not this one. “8 people from my community did run and B”H they are all ok and accounted for.” Adding that most of the people hurt were spectators.

5:03pm: Boston Globe reported that the casualty count stands at 2 dead and 64 injured.

5:01pm: Boston Police Commissioner Davis just gave an update on what has occurred until now.

At 2:50pm two simultaneous explosions occurred along the finish line route. At this time all victims have been removed from the scene to area hospitals.

Commissioner Davis explained that he had activated a system of response for these type of incidents.

A third explosion, occurred at the JFK library and it is being treated as related to the initial two explosions. A 4th explosion on Boylston Street was a controlled detonation.

He recommended that residents stay at home, and tourists remain in their hotels rooms. He also encouraged people not to hang out in large groups.

A hotline was set up for peopel trying to located family members at 617-635-4500. A separate tips hotline was setup as well at 1-800-494-TIPS.

Agencies involved at this time include the Boston State Police, FBI, ATF, and the Massachusetts National Guard.

4:33pm: MassGeneral doctor compares Boston Explosion as “a scene you would see in Bagdad or Israel”

4:21pm: AP: Two additional explosive devices found and dismantled.

4:07pm: Two confirmed dead.

4:01pm: A third explosive device was located and detonated safely.

[…]

3:19pm: Reports of explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon

Graphic Content: