At least two people are confirmed dead and 23 injured in dual blasts Monday near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, news agencies cited police as saying. Earlier media reports had indicated that three people had been killed in the explosions, which occurred shortly before 3 pm (1900 GMT) while the race was still being run. The winners had already crossed the finish line when the explosions occurred, but thousands of other runners were still on the course of the elite marathon. Organizers immediately cleared the area near the finish line. Runners who had not yet finished were told to stop, news reports said. Television images showed smoke, ambulances and police near the finish line, where spectators had been watching from bleachers. US President Barack Obama was notified of the explosions and directed his administration to provide assistance to the investigation, the White House said. US administration officials remained in contact with local officials.
