Crime & Safety

Scores Injured by Explosion at Boston Marathon Finish Line

Several reported injured. Smithfield's Roupen Bastajian aided victims.


Editor's note: For continuing, up-to-the-minute coverage of this breaking story, click this link: http://patch.com/A-3CSp

UPDATE, 6 p.m.: CBS has interviewed Smithfield's Roupen Bastajian, who had just finished his Marathon run when the explosions occured, and rushed to aid the victims.

Individuals searching for loved ones may reach the Mayor’s Hotline at 617-635-4500 or through the American Red Cross’s Safe and Well website, http://redcross.org/safeandwell or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, according to the Smithfield EMA. 

Find out what's happening in Smithfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

4:01 p.m.: More than 20 people are reported injured from two explosions at the finish of the Boston Marathon today at about 2:50 p.m. Marathoners from Rhode Island, including Smithfield's Roupen Bastajian, are participating in the Boston road race today. 

If you know someone running the Marathon, you can check their last recorded time check position along the course at the race's website: http://raceday.baa.org/individual.html The Red Cross is advising anyone who needs to check in on a loved one or friend at the Marathon to visit their site, RedCross.org/safeandwell. If people are unable to contact family members in Boston, they can call 617-635-4500, according to the RI Department of Health. 

Find out what's happening in Smithfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stay tuned to Patch's coverage of the explosions at BackBay.patch.com

3:18 p.m.: Dozens of people were injured by two explosions near the Boston marathon finish line. There are multiple reports of victims with missing limbs, bloodied heads and other extremely serious injuries. WBZ4 reported  at least a dozen victims with "grave injuries."

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency confirms there were explosions but has not released any further details. Public Safety blogger Alert New England reported that all ambulances in the area were diverted to the scene.

One eyewitness said the explosions 

Jennifer Curro was right next to the prudential center when she said she heard two explosions

"It was the loudest thing I've ever heard it stopped us in our tracks," she said. 

Buildings in the area are being evacuated including the apartments at the Prudential. All businesses along Boylston Street are being evacuated and officials are urging everyone to avoid Copley Square.

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Folks in the explosion are being told to stay off their phones as they could trigger more bombs.  

The Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel is currently in lockdown. 

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