Explosions near finish line at Boston Marathon, multiple injuries reported
Two explosions have been reported in Boston, Massachusetts where thousands of runners are participating in the annual Boston Marathon.
The Boston Marathon’s headquarters have reportedly put on locked down while authorities investigate the incident. Preliminary reports suggest two explosions occurred near the finish line of the 26.2-mile event shortly before 3 pm local time, and the Boston Globe is reporting “at least dozens of people” suffering injuries at the scene.
Eyewitnesses say smoke filled the streets of the city after a first explosion, and seconds later another loud boom was heard. The event has been put on hold and paramedics are quickly trying to assess the situation.
Earlier in the afternoon, 23-year-old Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa came in first-place by completing the run in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 22 seconds. At the time of the explosions, though, hundreds of runners were still racing for the finish line.
Organizers call the event the "world's oldest annual marathon and one of the world's most prestigious road races.”
