Terrorist attack rocks Boston Marathon and JFK library

In what appears like a calculated terrorist attack, two huge explosions detonated near the finishing line of the Boston Marathon killing two and leaving about 23 others injured. A third explosion has been reported at the JFK library, also in Boston but no casualties reported.

The explosions which occurred near the city’s central Copley Square was reportedly between 30 seconds of each other and some of the injured are reported to have lost limbs. Victims with horrific injuries were carried to the medical tent that was set up for runners; others were pushed in wheelchairs on hand if competitors collapsed.

Pools of blood stained the pavements.

Pandemonium broke out among the crowds massed to watch one of the world’s biggest marathons.

Like the biblical analogy of Paul, you can't tell what's at the finishing line until you got there. The athletes and their teeming supporters had eyed the finishing line with great enthusiasm but some people had some other heinous intentions planned for the famous race.

The marathon, with about 20,000 competitors, takes place annually on Patriots Day, a festive New England public holiday.

The scale of the double explosion, the popularity of the event and the symbolism of the date – Patriot’s Day – prompted immediate fears of a terrorism attack.

 In a statement on its Facebook page, the Boston Marathon termed the blasts as "bombs". Two high-ranking law enforcement officials told Reuters the blasts had been caused by bombs.

Law enforcement officials told the NBC network that they believed that at least one-blast was the result of a home-made bomb. Some witnesses described ball-bearing injuries, a further indicator that a bomb was responsible.

A senior US intelligence official said two more explosive devices have been found near the scene. The official said the new devices were being dismantled.
Paul Browne, New York police deputy commissioner, said that the department was deploying counter-terrorism vehicles around landmarks in Manhattan, including hotels and tunnels, in response to the explosions.

 + Agency Report