EmergencyNet News - *FLASH* 07/27/96 - 00:55CDT

Explosion at Olympic Centennial Park

A major emergency response has been declared in Atlanta at the Centennial Olympic Park. Police say that an "explosion" has occurred near a stage, where a rock band was playing. According to Atlanta police sources, at least 100 people are reported injured. The cause of the explosion is not know at this time. Multiple ambulances are either on-scene or enroute at this time.

ENN is gathering additional details at this time. More soon.

EmergencyNet News - Instant Update
07/27/96 - 01:28CDT

Athletes Reported Injured

Unconfirmed reports have been received by ENN that at least two U.S. Olympic athletes have been injured in this evenings explosion at the AT&T Global Village Stage. Another unofficial report has been received from a state law enforcement official that there are fatalities. No official statements have been issued as of the time of this report about the cause of the explosion.

According to a NBC news local cameraman, he was asked by security personnel to move away from a tower prior to the explosion. He as warned of a "suspicious package" that may have been found. Shortly thereafter a major detonation occurred. Local EMS officials say that as many as 150 people may have been injured, several of them seriously. Many others are thought to have received minor "shrapnel wounds" and some concusion type injuries.

As many as 25 ambulances have responded to the incident along with numerous units of the Atlanta fire department. No fire ensued after the initial detonation. A triage station has been set-up on a nearby corner and the injured appear to be transported in an orderly manner, according to eyewitnesses.

Coverage continues by the ENN News Team...

EmergencyNet News - *FLASH*
07/27/96 - 02:45CDT

Additional Devices Reported in Atlanta

As yet unconfirmed reports have been recieved that two additional "devices" have been found in the Olympic Centennial park area. According to a Fulton County Deputy Sherrif, and now being reported on CNN, additional bomb squad technicians are being called to the scene to attempt to check and secure the additional devices.

Fear are routinely raised of 'secondary devices", when a blast of undetermined origin has occurred. Additional devices are sometimes left to "delay detonate" and injure or kill rescuers. ENN is gathering additional information and will provide it as it becomes available...

EmergencyNet News
07/27/96 -04:30CDT

FBI Officials Verify Explosion is Caused by Bomb

According to FBI Special Agent in Charge Woody Johnson, the explosion at Centennial Park in Atlanta was the result of "a bomb" and is being considered a "terrorist act" until determined otherwise. This decision will clear the way for the FBI Counter-Terrorist task force and other special units to assume command and control of the investigation surrounding the bombing. No confirmation was issued in regard to other devices that were found at the scene.

Speculation continues that the device that exploded and killed at least two people, and injured another 110, was a "pipe bomb". Eyewitnesses were quoted as saying that they smelled what was described as "gunpowder" shortly after the blast; if true, this could be consistent with a improvised pipebomb. Other witnesses said that the police were trying to evacuate the area near the eventual blast, just prior to the explosion. Two sources say that they believe that police had recieved a 911 call with a "bomb threat" just prior to the detonation and that the call may have been made from a pay phone near the Centennial park.

The ENN News Team continues to gather information for you.....

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Go to ENN's Continuing Coverage of the Olympic Bombing

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