Sunday 21 April 2013

Najib saddened by Boston Marathon explosions

KUALA LUMPUR:   DATUK Seri Najib Razak yesterday said he was  saddened by the explosions reported during the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The prime minister expressed his sympathy to the victims' families through Twitter.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," he tweeted.

In the 3pm incident on Monday, three people were killed and 140 injured when two explosions ripped through the crowd at the finish line of the annual marathon.

At least 23,000 people participated in the marathon, held annually on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April, which is a state holiday in Massachusetts.

No Malaysians were injured. According to Wisma Putra, about 15 Malaysians participated.

"Our consuls in New York and Los Angeles confirmed that thus far, no Malaysians were hurt or injured in the bombing," a spokesman said.

But the spokesman told the New Straits Times that the actual number of Malaysian runners had yet to be confirmed.

"We are still waiting for further information from the two consuls and our embassy in Washington DC," the spokesman added.

Online news portal Malaysian Digest interviewed a Malaysian who took part in the marathon, aircraft maintenance engineer Lim Kian Huat.

"I was shocked. It was such a big surprise for this to happen at an international event," said the 57-year-old, who finished his run about 30 minutes before the blast.

"I was in the subway train when suddenly all the trains were stopped and everyone was instructed to evacuate the trains.

"I was not sure at the time what was going on but everything was chaotic. That's when I found out that a bombing had just happened at the finish line."

Lim was residing at a hotel about 5km from the scene.

"I am just staying in my hotel right now because it is chaotic everywhere. The sirens of ambulances and police cars are blaring, and roads are sealed in the city."

An explosion near the Boston Marathon finish line as runners complete their race. Reuters pic
(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)

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