Bombs kill 2 at Boston marathon; 4 T&T runners safe. Obama, PM Kamla express deep concern

Officials have confirmed that two bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon Monday, killing two people and injuring 23 others.

The blasts sent a pall of smoke over the area and sidewalks were stained with blood following the explosions, which occurred at about 2.50pm ET, just a couple of metres before the finishing line.

Hundreds of runners were arriving and media photographers were waiting to capture the event. Their images shown on television on on the Internet showed the pavement along the final stretch of the race covered in injured people, with security guards and emergency workers in attendance.

Eyewitnesses reported that some victims lost limbs; local media reports suggested that the number of injured could be higher than 100.

At a media briefing, Boston police commissioner Ed Davis answered questions about whether the city was under a terrorist attack. "We're not being definitive about this right now, but you can reach your own conclusions based on what happened," he said. 

The organisers of the even said on their official Facebook page that the explosions were the result of two bombs.

President Obama issued a statement from the White House briefing room, expressing condolences and prayers for the victims. The President said:

"Earlier today I was briefed on the events in Boston. We'll continue to monitor and respond to the situation as it unfolds. The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers ...

"We don't yet have all the answers. Multiple people have been wounded, some gravely, in explosions at the Boston Marathon."

Trinidad & Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who was in New York to deliver a speech at the United Nations, expressed "shock and concern" for the victims.

In a media release the Prime Minister said she was monitoring the information from the scene and was in touch with T&T's Ambassador to the United States, Neil Parsan, seeking information on the conditions of four T&T runners who were participating in the marathon.

The four - Marlon Bascombe, 32, of Brooklyn, New York; Christopher Battoo, 25, of Brookline, Massachusetts; Ingrid Mathison, 50, of West Hempstead, New York; and Learie Lezama, 53, of St James - are reported to be safe.

The Prime Minister will leave tomorrow for Washington where she will participate in a series of meetings and address the OAS Americas Africa Business Forum.