At least 2 dead in blast at Atlanta's Olympic Park
Games will be played
July 27, 1996
Web posted at: 5:10 a.m. EDT
ATLANTA (CNN) -- Two people were killed and 110 people were injured early Saturday when an explosion jolted Olympic Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta, an FBI spokesman said.
The death was confirmed by Atlanta Police Chief Beverly Harvard. Authorities told CNN the explosion most likely was caused by a pipe bomb.
A sudden flash lit up the park during a concert at the AT&T Global Village by Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. The blast at 1:20 a.m. EDT sent debris and shrapnel flying; revelers rushed in panic from the scene.
Red Cross information
|
The explosion occurred shortly after a report of a suspicious package near the stage prompted police to begin an evacuation of the immediate area. A source told CNN that the package was thrown in a trash can just before the blast.
Some people thought the noise was part of the show. "It didn't feel like fireworks to me. The ground actually shook," an eyewitness said.
"Some people looked really messed up. There were rivers of blood, " said Desmond Edwards of Atlanta.
President Clinton, who has been in Atlanta twice during the Olympic Games, was awakened and told of the blast, White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta said.
Olympic officials said events scheduled for Saturday would continue as planned.
The director of Atlanta's metro transportation system, MARTA, said trains continued to run, partly to allow crowds to leave downtown. Gene Wilson said bomb squads were combing trains, tracks and tunnels for possible explosives.
Andrew Kastner, a member of the Jack Mack band, told CNN he felt the explosion -- which happened about 150 feet from the stage -- in his chest, and it knocked him back.
"Our sound engineer discovered the bomb. He saw it in a paper sack. It was put in front of the sound stage," Kastner said. (169K AIFF or WAV sound) He said the engineer notified police who cleared the sound room of people. And then "the engineer saw a flash and dove to the ground." (244K AIFF or WAV sound)
Swimmer being interviewed
A German TV network was interviewing U.S. swimmer Janet Evans when the explosion occurred. It jolted Evans and the German crew as security personnel sprinted to the scene. (100K AIFF or WAV sound)
CNN producer Jim Bacon said he heard a "tremendous boom" and everybody "hit the deck." He said shrapnel and paper flew "everywhere." Police moved quickly to evacuate the area, Bacon said.
Ambulances and police vehicles immediately rushed to the scene. (84K AIFF or WAV sound) Shortly afterward, the park was closed and security guards evacuated people from the area.
Atlanta has been under an intense security blanket as it hosts the Summer Olympic Games. As many as 30,000 security troops are guarding the city.
Centennial Park is a public park housing Olympic sponsors' tents, the Olympic Super Store and other venues directly across the street from CNN Center. It has been a popular gathering place for Olympic visitors since before the games began a week ago.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Olympic security eyes home-grown terrorism - June 17, 1996
- Legacy of Munich: Atlanta mobilizes for terror-free Olympics - June 16, 1996
- In wake of Saudi bombing, Olympics officials say: 'We're ready' - June 29, 1996
Related site:
© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.