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Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon race have left an unknown number of people injured.

Video and photographs from Boston show a scene of confusion, with emergency services descending on the scene and bloodied spectators being taken to a medical tent.

"There are a lot of people down," said one runner quoted by AP news agency.

The incident reportedly came about three hours after the winners crossed the line.

"There was an explosion, police, fire and EMS are on the scene. We have no indication of how many people are injured," spokeswoman for the Boston Police Department said.

AP said there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the bridge that marks the finish line. Another loud explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Mike Mitchell of Vancouver, Canada, a runner who had finished the race said he was looking back at the finish line and saw a "massive explosion."

Smoke rose 50ft (15m) in the air, he told Reuters news agency, and people began running away and screaming after hearing the noise.

"Everybody freaked out," he said.

Stragglers heading for the finish line were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts as the scene was locked down.

The Eastern Massachusetts branch of the Red Cross has set up a disaster response centre in the area.

injured.
Video and photographs from Boston show a scene of confusion, with emergency services descending on the scene and bloodied spectators being taken to a medical tent.
"There are a lot of people down," said one runner quoted by AP news agency.

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Emergency services

Emergency services at the scene in Boston
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CNN reports that four victims of the explosions are at emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital.
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One witness, Laura McLean tells AP: "There are people who are really, really bloody."

She was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions.
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Zara Bielkus, a 30-year-old spectator from Boston, tells AFP news agency she heard two explosions seconds apart. Police then locked down the area.

"When we heard them, everyone looked at each other and went very quiet, and within a minute police came," she says.
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New York Police are deploying counter-terrorism police around Manhattan landmarks, reports say. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said police were stepping up security in response to the Boston blasts.
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Mr Mitchell said people began running and screaming after hearing the noise.

"Everybody freaked out," he said.
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Mike Mitchell of Vancouver, Canada, a runner who had finished the race told the Reuters news agency he was looking back at the finish line and saw a "massive explosion."

Smoke rose 50 feet (15 metres) in the air, he said.

RedCrossEasternMA The American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts

tweets: Please check in with friends & family who were at the #BostonMarathon #BostonMarathon2013. Reconnect. Spread the word make sure ppl are safe
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The Eastern Massachusetts branch of the Red Cross has set up a disaster response centre in the area.
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The incident reportedly came about three hours after the winners crossed the line.

AP news agency reported there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the bridge that marks the finish line. Another loud explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
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Video and photographs from Boston show a scene of confusion, with emergency services descending on the scene and bloodied spectators being taken to a medical tent.
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Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon have left an unknown number of people injured.

Investigators have a suspect — a Saudi Arabian national — in the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, The Post has learned.

Law enforcement sources said the 20-year-old suspect was under guard at an undisclosed Boston hospital.

It was not immediately clear why the man was hospitalized and whether he was injured in the attack or in his apprehension.

The man was caught less than two hours after the 2:50 p.m. bombing on the finish line of the race, in the heart of Boston.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/a ... PDGIjYBalO

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At Brigham & Women's Hospital.Armed guards posted outside the ER which is in lockdown.

— Mark Katic (@MarkKWBZ) April 15, 2013