As usual, on my way to work this morning, I was reading through my Facebook newsfeed. Then I noticed a couple of my American Facebook friends sharing a picture which said: Praying for Boston.
Immediately I went on Google to find out what happened and to my horror, I saw the news:
3 killed, more than 130 hurt in Boston Marathon bombing
Three killed – including 8-year-old boy – in bomb blasts near finish line of Boston Marathon, officials say. Area hospitals say at least 132 are injured, including eight children.
Two explosions happened at about 2:50 p.m., more than two hours after the first of the race’s nearly 27,000 runners had crossed the finish line.
Explosion at the Boston Marathon by The Boston Globe
Crowds were in the area watching the runners take part in the world’s oldest annual marathon.
It was also Patriot’s Day, commemorating the opening battle of the Revolutionary War.
Within seconds, the festive occasion turned into devastation.
Medical workers aid injured people at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Two bombs struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, turning the celebration into a bloody scene of destruction.
The blasts threw people to the ground. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said Monday night that the death toll had risen to three. Scores were injured at the scene.
Medical workers aid injured people at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
One of the dead was an 8-year-old boy, according to a state law enforcement source and The Boston Globe.
Hospitals reported at least 138 people are being treated, with at least 17 of them in critical condition and 25 in serious condition. At least eight of the patients are children.
A Boston police officer wheels in injured boy down Boylston Street as medical workers carry an injured runner following an explosion during the 2013 Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria at the marathon’s finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
At least 10 people injured had limbs amputated, according to a terrorism expert briefed on the investigation.
Federal authorities are classifying the bombings as a terrorist attack, but it’s not clear whether the origin was domestic or foreign, a federal law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation said.
A federal law enforcement official told CNN that both bombs were small, and initial tests showed no C-4 or other high-grade explosive material, suggesting that the packages used in the attack were crude explosive devices.
Investigators warned police to be on the lookout for a “darker-skinned or black male” with a possible foreign accent in connection with the attack, according to a law enforcement advisory obtained by CNN. The man was seen with a black backpack and sweatshirt and was trying to get into a restricted area about five minutes before the first explosion, the lookout notice states.
I’ve selected the less gory photos above to highlight how bad the blast was able to injure the people, but here’s the most gory one. (Face censored to preserve privacy).
CAUTION: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. VERY VERY GRAPHIC IMAGE:
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[Warning, very graphic] Medical workers run a badly injured man past the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. (Note: We have since decided to blur the subject’s face out of his respect for privacy) (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)I may not be an American, but like many around the world, my prayers go out to Boston.
Kudos to the first responders and good people who rushed to help.
Updated! There have been no reports of any Singaporeans including blade runner, Adam Kamis among the casualties in the Boston Marathon blasts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.
Singaporeans who require consular assistance can contact the 24 hour Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office, the Singapore Consulate in New York or the Singapore Embassy in Washington DC at:
Singapore Consulate in New York
Tel: +1-917-293-4540 or +1-212 223 3331
Email: singcon_nyc@sgmfa.gov.sg
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork-consul
Embassy of Republic of Singapore – Washington DC
Tel : +1-202-256-4629 or +1-202 537 3100 ext 140
Email: singemb_was@sgmfa.gov.sg
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington
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