Update: Boston police confirm at least two are dead and 23 are injured, and Boston Marathon officials are calling the explosion “a bomb.” Unconfirmed reports indicate at least 10 of the injured have lost limbs.
The unfolding Boston Marathon explosion has resulted in three reported deaths and dozens of injuries, though authorities have not officially confirmed either — and EMTs on the scene have also said on Twitter that undetonated devices have been uncovered following the blast — which has been referred to by Marathon officials as a bomb.
Events like the Boston Marathon explosion tend to cause a flurry on sites like Twitter, and many in Boston were on the scene due to the high-profile event before the incident. A second and possibly unrelated fire has been reported at the JFK Library.
Among circulating reports — including those of several severe injuries — are ones of undetonated devices located by first responders on scene.
The Boston Marathon’s official Facebook page updated with a note seemingly confirming that the explosion was due to a bomb, and the message read:
“There were two bombs that exploded near the finish line in today’s Boston Marathon. We are working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened.”
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates as we receive confirmation.
RT ?@ fara1 : Police officer near Boston Marathon finish line: ‘There are secondary devices that have been found and are unexploded.’
— David S. Bernstein (@dbernstein) April 15, 2013
Bomb squad about to explode suspicious device across from library.Officers told to take cover behind vehicles
— Adam Gaffin (@universalhub) April 15, 2013
All off-duty police in Boston are are reportedly being called in:
BPD police scanner calling on all off duty officers. “That’s an order.”
— Clinton Ray (@ClintyFresh) April 15, 2013
BPD officers are also reportedly aggressively evacuating the area due to possible further devices not yet found:
BPD aggressively moving ppl now. Saying anyone nearby is in danger. #BostonMararthon #wbz yfrog.us/gvffshboivhhua…
— Jim Armstrong(@JimArmstrongWBZ) April 15, 2013