"First thing I'm going to do in the morning is catch the first flight out of here," he said. "I'm just forgetting about the ticket. I'm going back to Los Angeles."
Melgor paused. "This could've been worse."
Times staff writers Ralph Frammolino, Jeff Brazil and Edith Stanley and special correspondent Mike Clary in Atlanta, and staff writers Norman Kempster in Washington and Richard E. Meyer in Los Angeles contributed to this story.
More Inside
* PETER H. KING--Unfortunately, the bombing in Atlanta was not a big surprise. A3
* TERROR LEGACY--Terrorism may bring temporary gains, but lasting victories are elusive. A24
* SUDDEN DARKNESS--A city's night of revelry was plunged into chaos and panic. A28
* JIM MURRAY--The Atlanta bombing recalls the 1972 slayings of Israeli athletes in Munich. S1
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Breaching Olympic Security
At least two people are dead and scores hurt after a bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park. Most of the injured were among the many partygoers enjoying live music from a nearby stage.
The Warning
* A 911 call alerts authorities to a suspicious bag left near the light and sound tower.
* Roughly 18-20 minutes passes from the time of detection to the moment of detonation.
* Security personnel clear the immediate area of spectators, hoping to reduce death and injuries.
Where the Explosion Occurred
* The bomb is detonated at 1:25 a.m. EDT near the AT&T Global Olympic Village, where throngs of partygoers were enjoying live music.
The Bomb
* Three homemade pipe bombs taped together with a timer device attached.
* The bomb was concealed inside a small bag, which was left near the light and sound tower.
* The bag also contained an assortment of nails and screws that turned into deadly shrapnel once the bomb detonated.
Security Zone
Local and federal law enforcement agents seal off Centennial Olympic Park and neighboring blocks, limiting access to investigators examining the bomb area for clues.
Sources: Times staff, Associated Press
