Explosion reported near Boston Marathon finish line

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the explosions reported near the Boston Marathon finish line, including the immediate aftermath, injuries, and the emotional impact on participants and spectators. The scope includes eyewitness accounts, media reports, and personal reflections on the event's significance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Initial reports indicate two explosions occurred near the Boston Marathon finish line, leading to injuries and evacuations.
  • Witnesses described severe injuries, including victims losing limbs, and there are conflicting reports about the number of casualties.
  • Some participants shared personal connections to the event, expressing deep emotional responses and concerns for fellow runners and spectators.
  • There are claims of a third explosion at the JFK Library, but some participants question whether this was a separate incident or a normal fire.
  • Reports of a suspect being identified as a Saudi national have been met with skepticism, with some participants challenging the credibility of the sources.
  • Discussions about the impact on cell service in the area, with reports suggesting it was shut off to prevent further detonations.
  • Participants expressed frustration and sadness over the senseless nature of the violence, particularly affecting innocent spectators.
  • Some participants noted the broader context of violence, referencing similar incidents in other parts of the world.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of emotions and opinions, with no clear consensus on the details of the events or the motivations behind them. Disagreements exist regarding the accuracy of reports and the implications of the attacks.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the information shared, including varying reports on the number of casualties and the nature of the explosions. Some statements rely on unverified sources, and the emotional responses reflect personal experiences and connections to the marathon.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the Boston Marathon, those affected by the events, and anyone following news related to public safety and violence in crowded events may find this discussion relevant.

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http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/Explosion-reported-near-Boston-Marathon-finish-line/-/11971628/19757044/-/odjbsx/-/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Two explosions have been reported near the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, and there are reports of injuries.

Crews were sent to 617 Boylston St. at about 2:30 p.m. Witnesses said several victims lost limbs, and the area was being evacuated.
 
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CNN has some video showing the explosion near the finish line as it occurred. Haven't found anything on youtube that is very good yet but one guy already posted a picture with a music track. :confused:

If you see the explosion near the finish line, look up the street and you can see a second cloud of smoke about a block further down the street.
 
CNN is now reporting 2 dead and 28 injured.
 
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Evidently there was a third explosion at the JFK Library.
 
fyi, mile 26 was dedicated to the Newton shooting victims. It's also where the VIP section was where the families were watching.
 
FB reports from friends in Boston say the cell service has been shut off to avoid more detonations.
 
This is really upsetting. I've run several marathons. I'm usually one of the people that finish in the four to five hour range - which is when the bombs went off. It's the people that aren't professionals, who aren't super athletes, who train to meet a goal or to lose weight or just to do something amazing, who were crossing the finish line when this happened. It really hits close to home.
 
  • #11
This is really upsetting. I've run several marathons. I'm usually one of the people that finish in the four to five hour range - which is when the bombs went off. It's the people that aren't professionals, who aren't super athletes, who train to meet a goal or to lose weight or just to do something amazing, who were crossing the finish line when this happened. It really hits close to home.
Yeah it's disgusting.

Do you know if any of the athletes were hurt? I saw a picture of a guy who got his legs blown off. I think he was a spectator or something. But that's just sad.
 
  • #13
Borg said:
CNN has some video showing the explosion near the finish line as it occurred. Haven't found anything on youtube that is very good yet but one guy already posted a picture with a music track. :confused:

Here's some footage (might be disturbing to some):
 
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  • #15
NBC is reporting that the library may have just been a normal fire. They are also reporting more than 100 people being treated at hospitals.
 
  • #16
Borg said:
NBC is reporting that the library may have just been a normal fire.
Yes. I've heard that also. Let's hope so.
 
  • #17
Just spoke to my sister in Boston. She knows a bunch of people who were running (she's a marathon runner but did not run it) including two people from her office, all of which apparently were fine.
 
  • #18
cristo said:
Here's some footage (might be disturbing to some):

That's just awful.
 
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  • #19
Borg said:
NBC is reporting that the library may have just been a normal fire. They are also reporting more than 100 people being treated at hospitals.
CNN reported ~110 injured, including a number of children. Eight injured are in critical condition, and about 10 or so in serious condition. One of the dead may be an 8-year old child.
 
  • #20
Yikes apparently my fiance's maid of honor was at the end line 30min before the first explosion. So horrible.
 
  • #21
Greg Bernhardt said:
Authorities ID suspect as Saudi national in marathon bombings, under guard at Boston hospital

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nation...source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost

cristo said:
BBC are quoting police commissioner as saying reports police have a suspect in custody are inaccurate.

As is anything else from the new york post. They were reporting 12 dead when the number is 2.

nypost = not a news source.

-Dave K
 
  • #22
dkotschessaa said:
This is really upsetting. I've run several marathons. I'm usually one of the people that finish in the four to five hour range - which is when the bombs went off. It's the people that aren't professionals, who aren't super athletes, who train to meet a goal or to lose weight or just to do something amazing, who were crossing the finish line when this happened. It really hits close to home.

My sentiments as a runner too, though obviously it's sad no matter who got killed or injured.
 
  • #23
Bombings, shooting sprees, assasinations...crazy. What was that old Chinese curse? May you live in interesting times? Interesting times indeed.
 
  • #24
Ugh. This is annoying.
 
  • #25
I had to review the list of registered runners, and luckily Bub hadn't signed up this year. He was never a top marathoner, which could have put him in the target time.

I would like times to be less "interesting".
 
  • #26
Truly awful. I have no words for it.
 
  • #27
No-one does really. Peaceful group of people running for a cause are disrupted and brutally injured or murdered because of some idiot. Sometimes the irrationality of a person is beyond comprehension, it is just a cause of having a higher level of consciousness than most animals. These people will themselves towards their own depraved notions of the world and would like to inflict harm unto others where it is not due, if ever any harm is due onto anyone. Their values are misdirected.
 
  • #28
It was the spectators on the sidewalk that were targeted, not the runners.
 
  • #30
Apparently a third person has died.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22160691
Details of the victims have not been revealed, however the Associated Press news agency reported that an eight-year-old boy was among the dead. Quoting a family friend, the report said the boy's mother and sister were also injured as they waited for his father to finish the race.

. . . .