Carnage at Boston Marathon

Carnage at Boston Marathon

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An explosion rips through the air as runners in the Boston Marathon head towards the finishing line.

Two bombs tore through crowds near the race's finish, killing three people, injuring many others and triggering a massive hunt for those behind an attack the White House said would be treated as an "act of terror".

. BOSTON, United States. REUTERS/MetroWest Daily News/Ken McGagh

Bystanders tend to an injured man following the explosions, which represented the worst bombing on U.S. soil since security was tightened following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

Debris lies in the street after the blasts and a large area of downtown Boston remained cordoned off by police on April 16 as authorities investigated the attack.

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Slideshow

The first wave of runners set off as they compete in the Boston Marathon.
. HOPKINTON, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

The first wave of runners set off as they compete in the Boston Marathon.

Supporters cheer on participants.
. WELLESLEY, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

Supporters cheer on participants.

Boston Marathon Men's division winner Lelisa Desisa Benti, of Ethiopia, and women's division winner Rita Jeptoo, of Kenya, pose for a portrait with the trophy.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

Boston Marathon Men's division winner Lelisa Desisa Benti, of Ethiopia, and women's division winner Rita Jeptoo, of Kenya, pose for a portrait with the trophy.

Police and runners react to an explosion going off near the marathon finishing line around four hours into the race.
. BOSTON, United States. REUTERS/MetroWest Daily News/Ken McGagh

Police and runners react to an explosion going off near the marathon finishing line around four hours into the race.

Smoke rises behind police and participants following the double blast.
. BOSTON, United States. REUTERS/MetroWest Daily News/Ken McGagh

Smoke rises behind police and participants following the double blast.

A runner is escorted from the scene after explosions went off.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

A runner is escorted from the scene after explosions went off.

A marathon participant with a bloodied leg is taken from a triage tent in a wheelchair.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

A marathon participant with a bloodied leg is taken from a triage tent in a wheelchair.

A SWAT truck transports officers to the scene.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

A SWAT truck transports officers to the scene.

FBI agents arrive after the explosions.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Neal Hamberg

FBI agents arrive after the explosions.

Blood is spattered on the sidewalk as men in bomb-disposal suits investigate the site of the attack.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

Blood is spattered on the sidewalk as men in bomb-disposal suits investigate the site of the attack.

Pedestrians watch as police gather near the medical tent after the bombs went off.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

Pedestrians watch as police gather near the medical tent after the bombs went off.

A man comforts a woman near a triage tent.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

A man comforts a woman near a triage tent.

A woman talks on the phone following the attack.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

A woman talks on the phone following the attack.

A woman covers her mouth and cries.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

A woman covers her mouth and cries.

An officer gives directions to a participant after the bombs detonated.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

An officer gives directions to a participant after the bombs detonated.

SWAT officers stand guard.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Dominick Reuter

SWAT officers stand guard.

National Guard troops stand near the Boston Common before going on a sweep near the scene of the bombings.
. BOSTON, United States. REUTERS/Scott Eisen

National Guard troops stand near the Boston Common before going on a sweep near the scene of the bombings.

A national guardsman waits in a school bus near the finish line.
. BOSTON, United States. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A national guardsman waits in a school bus near the finish line.

Unclaimed runners' bags from the Boston Marathon lie in a pile.
. BOSTON, United States. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

Unclaimed runners' bags from the Boston Marathon lie in a pile.