More than 170 people were injured and three were killed in the bomb explosions at the Boston Marathon.
Blood and glass covered the streets while screams of pain and fear filled the air. The smell of burnt flesh and smoke was in the air with sound of sirens grew louder and louder. This was the scene described by witnesses of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.
Two bombs blew up seconds apart close to the finish line at one of the world’s most renowned races. The explosion occurred at 2.50pm (local time) on 15 April 2013, turning a family event into pure chaos with witnesses describing the scene similar to a war zone.
8-year-old among dead
An 8-year-old who was waiting to give his runner father a hug at the finish line was one of the three people who have been reported dead with more than 170 wounded.
The Daily Mail has reported Boston Children’s Hospital receiving eight patients which were injured at the explosion at the Boston Marathon.
The patients included a 2 year-old-boy with a head injury who has been admitted to the Medical/Surgical ICU, a 9-year-old girl with leg trauma who was sent to the operating room and a 12-year-old boy with a femur fracture.
Limbs amputated from blast
The Daily Mail reported how police sources said that the bombs were made from six-liter pressure cookers crammed with metal shards, nails and ball bearings which was then stashed in black backpacks.
These deadly bombs left three people dead and more than 170 injured. It also tore off feet, ankles, calves and entire legs of at least 10 people.
Witnesses were reported described the ‘unspeakable horror’ of body parts flying through the air and shoes that ‘still had flesh in them’.
Malaysians among the runners at Boston Marathon
According to Boston’s Marathon Athlete Tracker, there were eight Malaysian runners who participated in the race.
A fellow Malaysian who participated in the race narrowly escaped becoming a victim of the devastating bomb blasts.
“I thank my lucky stars that I barely escaped from becoming a victim,” said 57-year-old Lim Kian Huat told The Star.
Early departure saved him
Lim has a lot to be lucky about as he left the race 30 minutes before the explosion after he completed the run in three hours and 33 minutes.
He credits his early departure from the marathon venue to his lack of friends there and the cold weather.
“I was tired and besides, it was cold. I only waited to take my prize. I might have stayed around if I had friends with me,” he said.
Justice will be served
President Barack Obama promised to catch whoever was responsible.
“We still don’t know who did this or why,” Obama said at a press conference.
“Make no mistake: We will get to the bottom of this.”
No arrests have been made
No arrests have been made yet and the White House official said that they have yet to have determined whether the attack came from a foreign or domestic source.
This has been the worst bombing in the United States of America since security was tightened after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks.
If you have loved ones in Boston…
Boston Police helpline: Relatives seeking information about individuals injured during the explosions can call (617) 635-4500.
Boston Marathon Athlete Tracker:
Users can track runners by name or bib number to find out if he or she finished the race and when.
Google Person Finder’s Boston Marathon Page:
Google’s Person Finder has newly launched a page especially for the Boston Marathon tragedy. This site allows users to find someone or offer information about someone involved in the incident.
Malaysians in Boston who require urgent consular assistance can contact the Malaysian Consulate in New York at +1-212-4902722 / +1-212-4902723 or contact the Malaysian Consulate in Los Angeles at +1-213-8921238.
Sources:
Feds seek suspects, motive in Boston bombings
Investigators hunt for clues in Boston blasts
Malaysian marathoner misses Boston bomb blast by 30 minutes