Deadly Explosions hit Boston Marathon

Two bomb attacks struck the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, claiming the lives of three people and injuring hundreds more.

According to Boston officials, the bomb that was hidden in a garbage can exploded around 3pm at Copley Square, more than four hours after the race had started. Almost simultaneously, another bomb went off several hundred yards away.

Reports claim that at least 130 people are being treated in hospitals around the city. At least 20 to 35 of the victims had their limbs amputated. Experts say the bombs were designed to propel shrapnel.

In a statement, Pres. Barrack Obama vowed the ones responsible for the attack would feel the “full weight of justice”.

Obama said the reason behind the attack is still unclear but assured that federal assistance would be duly offered to the city. He also said that the government would increase security in US “as necessary”.

Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis advised people to stay indoors and avoid going out in large groups.

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest-running annual marathon and is the second biggest sporting event in the US behind the Super Bowl. The 2013 Boston Marathon was the 117th event.

This year, there were around 28,000 contending runners from different parts of the US and from 90 different countries.

Sources: bbc.co.uk, edition.cnn.com, www.nytimes.com