UPDATE: Two dead, 23 injured in explosions near Boston Marathon finish line

AP –

The Boston Police Department is reporting that, two persons are dead and 23 injured in two explosions near the Boston Marathon finish line today.



Stragglers in the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts.



Competitors and race organisers were crying as they fled the chaos.



Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.



Marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg.



About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line.



Another thunderous explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.



FOR MORE STORIES WATCH:

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica



Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner



onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com