Boy aged 8 among 3 dead in Boston bombings

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT AND VIDEO BELOW:

Two bombs ripped through crowds of spectators at yesterdays Boston marathon, killing at least 3 people, including an 8-year-old boy who was waiting to give his marathon running father a hug.

Eight-year-old Martin Richard from Dorchester in Massachusetts was killed as he stood beside his mother and two siblings, waiting for his father to cross the finishing line. It is reported his mother, Denise Richard, was also seriously injured in the blast.

US authorities have confirmed three people have been killed and more than 140 others hurt after two bombs exploded during the world’s oldest marathon.

They took place almost simultaneously about 100m apart, knocking spectators and at least one runner off their feet.

As the second bomb erupted, spectators’ cheers turned to screams and a pool of blood formed on the ground.

Windows were shattered and dense plumes of smoke rose over the street, as national flags lining the course fluttered.

More than 25,000 people were registered as taking part in the race, 374 of whom were British. There were also 108 Irish athletes.

Barack Obama vowed to find and punish those responsible, as a senior White House official said the attacks were being treated as an act of terrorism.

Mr Obama pointedly avoided using the words “terror” or “terrorism”, saying officials “still do not know who did this or why”.

But he vowed: “We will find out who did this. We’ll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice.”

The explosions happened about two hours after the men’s winner had crossed the line, as amateur runners were reaching the finish.

More than 17,000 competitors had completed the race by the time the blasts struck but thousands of others were still taking part.

Roupen Bastajian, 35, a state police officer from Rhode Island, had just finished the race and been handed a heat blanket when he heard the blasts.

“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.”

There were reports of a third blast at the JFK library a few miles away but that was later confirmed as a fire that was believed to be unrelated to the blasts.

A senior US intelligence official said another two unexploded bombs were found near the end of the 26.2mile (42km) course but had been safely disarmed.