Boston Marathon Explosion Update: Police Commissioner cites possible third bomb blast, calls event "ongoing"
(CBS/AP) - The Boston Police Commissioner told reporters that in addition to two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, a third explosion occurred at the city's JFK Library, but that it's not clear if it was connected to the other detonations. CBS News is reporting that library sources say the incident there may have been a mechanical fire.
PICTURES: Explosions near Boston Marathon finish line
Police Commissioner Ed Davis said that there were "multiple casualties" at the site of each of two bomb blasts along the marathon route.
The Boston Police Department had previously confirmed that there were at least 2 people dead and 23 injured in the explosions near the finish line, which Davis said occurred simultaneously around 2:50 p.m.
CBS News has learned that 19 injured people were being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital. Of those, six were said to be in critical condition and five others were reportedly listed in serious condition. Two other people were in critical condition at Brigham & Women's Hospital.
Roupen Bastajian, a 35-year-old state trooper from Rhode Island, had just finished the race when they put the heat blanket wrap on him and he heard the first blast.
"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."
Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The nearby Prudential Tower, the city's second-tallest building with an upscale shopping mall on the ground, was evacuated, along with the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, according to media reports.
The annual 26.2-mile marathon takes place on Patriot's Day, a state holiday that celebrates the evacuation of Boston by the British in the American Revolution.
