波士顿马拉松发生爆炸

　　BOSTON — Two bombs exploded at the venerable Boston Marathon on Monday, killing at least three people, injuring about 100 others and rattling nerves around the nation, authorities said。

　　The blasts occurred in rapid succession as thousands of runners were nearing the finish line and sent scores of them scrambling

　　for cover. Video footage showed an explosion off to the side, with some runners toppling over from the concussion. Smoke billowed into the air, and photos of the chaotic scene showed a sidewalk slicked with blood。

　　The explosions, occurring on the Patriot’s Day holiday that commemorates the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord, were as shocking in their symbolism as in their force. The Boston Marathon is a highly prestigious race and is as much a symbol of Boston as Fenway Park。

　　Two federal law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the blasts were caused by explosive devices. One of the dead, according to one official, was an 8-year-old。

　　The repercussions extended from Massachusetts to Washington, where President Obama was briefed by top officials, the White House increased security, and the Justice Department and FBI mobilized to fully investigate what had happened。

　　In a brief appearance at the White House shortly after 6 p.m., Obama expressed sympathy for the victims of the blasts and said all the necessary resources of the federal government would be assigned to assist Boston officials in determining the cause of the explosions。

　　“We still do not know who did this or why, and people shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we have all the facts,” Obama said. “But make no mistake — we will get to the bottom of this。”

　　A White House official called the explosions an “act of terror,” saying authorities have much to learn about who was behind it。

　　Initial reports of another explosion at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston turned out to be an unrelated fire. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick urged people to “stay out of crowds” as they made their way home。

　　The explosions ripped into an idyllic afternoon finish forthe marathon. The first men had passed the finish line 2 hours and 10 minutesafter the staggered start, and the first women crossed just 16 minutes later.But a bulge of slower runners grappling with a four-hour run time wereconverging on the race’s end at 2:50 p.m。

　　The explosions occurred shortly before 3 p.m. near the intersection of Boylston and Exeter streets. Local media reports said store fronts were blown out。

　　The first blast sent a quick plume of smoke two stories high. Runners nearby stopped in their tracks, confused and unsure. After a few seconds later, a second explosion happened a half-block away, with a deep boom caught on television cameras。

　　Emergency personnel rushed to the area, and the street was quickly sealed off。

　　Many of the injured appeared to be spectators who were watching the race. About half of the nearly 27,000 participants had reportedly finished the race when the blasts occurred. The racers came from at least 56 countries and territories。

　　【新闻快讯】

　　当地时间4月15日，美国波士顿马拉松比赛终点线附近发生两起爆炸，目前造成至少2人死亡，近百人受伤。美国情报部门对美联社表示，在爆炸现场又发现至少2个爆炸物，目前已被成功拆除。对于这起爆炸的性质，美国警方正在加紧调查中。

　　目前，有关事件仍在调查中。尚还不清楚爆炸发生的原因，也没有个人或组织宣布对爆炸案负责。《纽约邮报》消息称，目前警方以及联邦调查局已经将该系列爆炸事件作为恐怖袭击展开调查，并已锁定一个沙特裔男子为嫌疑犯。该男子被爆炸物碎片所伤，目前正在波士顿一家医院接受治疗。

　　根据美国哥伦比亚广播之声现场消息称，该系列爆炸发生于马拉松男子比赛开赛四小时后。其中前两次爆炸的地点分散在终点线附近人群聚集的地方，发生的时间分别为波士顿当地下午3点及3点零10秒。另外，下午4点30分左右，波士顿市另一侧的约翰。肯尼迪图书馆发生火灾，目前尚不清楚是否与前两次爆炸事件有关。

　　波士顿马拉松赛是全世界最古老的马拉松比赛，也是世界五大马拉松之一。于每年的美国爱国者日，即四月的第三个星期一在波士顿市举行。据悉，今年来自世界各国的参赛者多达上千人，其中包含了来自中国万科集团的15名选手。