Boston Marathon explosions: live

Three people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 injured following a coordinated bombing at the Boston Marathon.

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Photo via @BGlobeSports of Boston: police helping a runner moments after the blast  Photo: @BGlobeSports

By Chris Irvine

7:54AM BST 16 Apr 2013

• Three dead, dozens injured as 'bombs' hit race finish line
• The clock showed 4:09:44... then the shockwave hit
• In pictures: Boston Marathon bombing
• Barack Obama promises 'full weight of justice'
• Video: explosions caught on camera
• Explosions: April 15 as it happened

Latest

7.54 (2.54) In the latest footage from the video desk, trauma surgeon Dr Peter Fagenholz describes some of the injuries sustained by victims.

7.46 (2.46) The Boston Globe's David Abel was about 10 feet from the first explosion. He's written a very moving first person account of how he reacted.

I had been in a crouch shooting video of runners taking their final steps of the race, maybe 10 feet from the blast. I saw runners in front of me fall, at least one of whom appeared wounded. Those beside me at the center of the finish line — Marathon volunteers, security, fellow journalists — fell back as the ground trembled.
Someone beside me said he saw a red flash. Others close by told me they felt the spray of what they thought were shards of shrapnel. My ears were ringing from the blast, my eyes stinging from the smoke.
Many were fleeing, but many were running to the wounded. They ripped down the metal barriers separating the runners from spectators.
Time felt like it had slowed down — the disorientation, the confusion, the strange silence stealing my breath and delaying my ability to comprehend.
Seconds later, it became clear that it wasn’t a gas explosion or some machinery malfunctioning. When we heard the second blast a few blocks down Boylston, everyone who wasn’t running was now ­running.
7.38 (2.38) Senator Elizabeth Warren told us that Boston was a "family in pain", as she condemned those behind the bombings for inflicting a "day of tragedy" on the city.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph hours after two finish-line bombs killed at least three people and injured 120, Ms Warren said she was fearful about what the attackers would "take away from us".
The Boston marathon is always a day of great celebration, and today it was turned into tragedy," she said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been hurt, and their families.
During the marathon we are one family. We cheer for each other, we carry each other across the finish lines. And when tragedy strikes, we are also one family. We hurt together, we help each other together.
7.31 (2.31) In the wake of Boston, security for the London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, is to be reviewed by the Metropolitan Police.
Race organisers of the Virgin London Marathon which takes place on Sunday, involving around 36,000 runners, were quick to react on Monday night to the two bomb blasts close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon. They were immediately in consultation with the Metropolitan Police.
Nick Bitel, London Marathon Chief Executive told us:
We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news from Boston. Our immediate thoughts are with the people there and their families. It is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends and colleagues in marathon running.
Our security plan is developed jointly with the Metropolitan Police and we were in contact with them as soon as we heard the news.
7.29 (2.29) The actor Mark Wahlberg, a Boston native, was in New York last night for the premiere of his new film 'Pain and Gain'.
I really didn't even want to come tonight. I hadn't really heard much - I spoke to my mom, and most of my family seems to be OK. It's such a big event, there's so many people there. It's horrible man. It's (expletive) disgusting, man. I just - I'm very upset.
You try to put everything in God's hands and whatever happens here is out of our control and there's a bigger picture. But it's still obviously upsetting.
_{Mark Wahlberg, a Boston native, said he was struggling to comprehend what happened}
7.20 (2.20) The Telegraph's video desk has sent me this footage of eyewitnesses describing the chaos and fear following the two explosions.
7.18 (2.18) The Boston Marathon explosions are obviously front page news around the world. Here's how the city's own Boston Globe has reported it this morning.

7.15 (2.15) The Pakistani Taliban, which claimed the 2010 Times Square bomb plot, has denied anything to do with the explosions.
We believe in attacking US and its allies but we are not involved in this attack
We have no connection to this bombing but we will continue to target them wherever possible
7.12 (2.12) Our graphics team has put together a map of the explosions. As well as the two near the finish line of the marathon, there was a third incident reported three miles away at JFK Library. Police appeared unwilling last night to say if it was tied to the marathon explosions.

07.10 (2.10) A 78-year-old runner knocked down by the first of the two bombs has arguably the most famous image of the tragedy.
Bill Iffrig, competing in his third Boston Marathon, was yards from the finish line when the explosion detonated. Video and pictures caught him - in his bright orange vest - having his legs swept out from under him. Amazingly, he got up and kept going.
I got down to within 15 feet of the finish apron and just tremendous explosion,
The shockwaves hit my whole body and my legs started jittering around. I knew I was going down...
_{Bill Iffrig fell when the Boston Marathon bomb exploded. Shortly afterwards he got up again and finished the race. Photo: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images}
6.50 (1.50) The FBI and police are holding a press conference at 14.30 (9.30 EDT), where we are expected to get more detail. Until now authorities have remained largely tight-lipped about the tragedy.
We stress that we don't know who was behind the explosions. Police, firefighters and FBI agents last night searched the home of a "person of interest" in Revere, a suburb of Boston about 10 miles north of the bombing. They were at a flat for several hours before leaving around midnight.
One Saudi national caught up in the blasts, apparently being treated at Mass General Hospital, is still reported to be a "person of interest."
6.45 (1.45) The Boston Globe has named one of the victims as eight-year-old Martin Richard, from Dorchester. His mother and sister suffered grievous injuries, while a third child was reportedly uninjured. Ayanna Pressley, a city councilor, led tributes to the family.
They are beloved by this community. They contribute in many ways... It's surreal, it's tragic, it's incomprehensible.
6.40 (1.40) President Barack Obama has promised that those repsonsible for the attacks would "feel the full weight of justice", as he ordered the FBI to lead the hunt for the bombers.
Addressing the nation from the White House in the hours after the explosions, Mr Obama said: "We will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable."
The President did not use the term "terrorist" but the FBI formally classified the explosions as a terror incident and will take the lead in the investigation.
"Make no mistake we will get to the bottom of this and we will find out who did this and find out why they did this," Mr Obama said. "Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice".
6.35 (1.35) Here is what we know so far. At least three people have been killed and another 100 maimed or injured after two "powerful" bombs were detonated at the finish line of the Boston marathon.
Philip Sherwell wrote last night:
The co-ordinated blasts, the worst attack on US soil since the September 11 terror atrocities, transformed a site of celebration on a public holiday afternoon into a scene of carnage and destruction.
Several of the victims lost limbs and suffered horrific injuries as the twin blasts exploded about 30 seconds apart, some 50-100 yards away from each other near the finishing line of one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
6.30am (1.30am EDT) Good morning and welcome back to our coverage of the Boston Marathon explosions
Our team in Boston:
Philip Sherwell, @philipsherwell
Nick Allen, @nickallen789
Jon Swaine, @jonswaine
 ----------------------- The Telegraph