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South by Southwest urges attendees to be wary after bombings

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Authorities work on the scene after multiple explosions in Austin today. Organizers of the South By Southwest festival are urging those visiting Austin, “if you see something, say something,” after three package bombings killed two people and injured two others in less than two weeks.

AUSTIN, Texas >> Organizers of the South By Southwest festival are urging those visiting Austin, “if you see something, say something,” after three package bombings killed two people and injured two others in less than two weeks.

In a tweet today, organizers said, “SXSW is heartbroken by the explosions in Austin” and asked the thousands of festival attendees to notify the authorities of anything suspicious.

An explosion at a home in east Austin early today killed a teenager and wounded a woman in her 40s. Another package exploded about five miles away hours later. Police Chief Brian Manley said at a news conference that the latest bombing injured a 75-year-old Hispanic woman.

The chief said earlier that investigators were considering whether the attacks could be race-related because the first three victims were all black. He says they aren’t ruling anything out, but they are no longer “making the connection to a hate crime.”

The FBI is helping Austin police in the investigation.

The blasts occurred far from the heart of South By Southwest, which happens mostly in downtown Austin. Police said festivalgoers weren’t at risk but should be aware of what’s happening.

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