Vice president comments on Boston explosions

Courtesy Fox News

(CNN) – Vice President Joe Biden was on a conference call about legislation to combat gun violence Monday when he heard about the apparent bombings at the Boston Marathon.

"As I'm speaking here, they just turned on the television in my office and apparently there has been a bombing– I don't know any of the details of what caused it, who did it–I don't think it exists yet but our prayers are with those people in Boston who have suffered injuries," he said. "I don't know how many of them there are. I'm looking at it on television now."

Meanwhile, a White House official said the president has been notified of the explosions.

"His administration is in contact with state and local authorities. He directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response," the official said.

Video on the Senate being informed of the Boston explosions