In the aftermath of the explosions earlier today, President Obama addressed the nation on yet another tragedy that our nation is enduring. Obama expressed sympathy for the victims of all who were affected by the explosions saying, “We still do not know who did this or why, and people shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we have all the facts,” Obama said. “But make no mistake — we will get to the bottom of this.” According to The Washington Post, the White House has deemed today’s explosions as an “act of terror,” stating, “Any event with multiple explosive devices — as this appears to be — is clearly an act of terror, and will be approa
ched as an act of terror.”
The explosions occurred a little before 3 p.m. after over 17,000 of the 23,326 runners had finished. The first of the blast occurred on the corner of Boylston Street and Exeter Street, located a few hundred feet from the finish line. Many of the people injured by the explosions were spectators who were there watching the race. A nursing student, Nickilynn Estologa, who had a tent set up along the marathon’s course for fatigued runners, said that several injured individuals came into her tent, some of them being young children. After the blast officials began instructing the remaining runners to turn around and stay away from the finish line. Shortly after the explosions, authorities banned flying over the Boston area according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Two other unexploded bombs were found by authorities along the marathon route.
“It was just immediately [evident] there were injuries, right in the middle of the spectator crowds,” Silva said. “There was blood everywhere, there were victims being carried out on stretchers. I saw someone lose their leg. People are crying. People are confused,” said Steve Silva, who was watching the marathon as a sports producer for Boston.com. More than 130 individuals were injured by the explosions and two were reported dead, one of which being an 8 year old boy.
The Red Cross and Google have also set up websites in order to help family members of victims locate their loved ones. An update released by CNN.com around 8:30 p.m. advised law enforcement officials to be on the lookout for a dark skinned male who was seen carrying a black backpack trying to enter a restricted area about five minutes before the first explosion. Investigators have classified the bombing as a terror event but are still not sure if it is foreign or domestic. President Obama assured the nation that he will order the “full resources of the federal government” to find further answers regarding this tragedy.
