Russia mourns victims of concert hall tragedy as thousands gather in solidarity
Amidst a day of national mourning, Russia comes together to grieve the tragic loss of over 137 lives in a devastating concert hall shooting in Moscow. The heart-wrenching incident has united the nation in sorrow and remembrance.
Russia observed a day of mourning on Sunday following the tragic incident at a concert venue in Moscow where at least 137 people lost their lives. This attack is considered the worst in the country in the past twenty years.
In connection with the massacre that occurred on Friday night, nearly a dozen individuals have been taken into custody. The armed assailants invaded a well-known concert venue complex located on the outskirts of the capital city.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest in Russia since the Beslan school siege of 2004. The claim was made in a short statement published by the ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency on Telegram on Friday.
In tribute to the victims, thousands of people from cities across Russia gathered in the rain on Sunday. They lined up to place flowers at a memorial outside the Crocus City Hall near Moscow. The scene was filled with hundreds of flowers and a group of white balloons left in honor of those killed.
Members of the clergy also paid their respects and initiated prayers which crowds joined in with flags were lowered to half-staff.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 20, 2024.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 20, 2024.
Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters
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One of the individuals, 37-year-old Alexander Matveev, shared with CNN that many people in Russia are feeling insecure and concerned about the possibility of another attack occurring.
Matveev mentioned that he had listened to Putin's statement about the attackers potentially trying to escape to Ukraine, and found it to be a plausible explanation. He expressed a willingness to wait for the findings of the investigators before forming a final opinion.
"But Russia is resilient, we will not back down," Matveev expressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin showed his respect by lighting a candle in a church at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.
The day of mourning was first announced by the Russian leader in a national address on Saturday. He expressed sorrow for the victims of a tragic and cruel incident, calling it a "bloody and barbaric act."
He extended his sympathy to the nation, stating, "The entire country, all of our people, mourns with you."
Also during the address, Putin said attackers had sought to escape across the border towards Ukraine.
People place flowers at a memorial outside Crocus City Hall in Moscow on Sunday.
People place flowers at a memorial outside Crocus City Hall in Moscow on Sunday.
Vitaly Smolnikov/AP
Putin lit a candle at his residence outside Moscow. He's vowed to punish the perpetrators.
Putin lit a candle at his residence outside Moscow. He's vowed to punish the perpetrators.
Kremlin
He said that some on the Ukrainian side had helped prepare a “window” for their escape. Putin has also blamed the attack on “international terrorism.”
Authorities in Russia reported that the four gunmen believed to have carried out the attack were apprehended near the border on Saturday. However, their nationalities have not been disclosed.
On the other hand, Ukraine has strongly refuted any involvement in the attack. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has labeled the accusations as a deliberate ploy by the Kremlin to stoke anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Russian society, encourage more Russian citizens to participate in criminal aggression against Ukraine, and tarnish Ukraine's reputation on the global stage.
A graphic video was released by Amaq on Saturday, claiming to show the attack at a concert hall in suburban Moscow on Friday. The video was reportedly recorded by one of the attackers, indicating a direct connection to ISIS in order to share the footage.
On Sunday, the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that the death toll had risen to 137, which includes three children.
The committee mentioned that 62 bodies have been identified. They also stated that genetic tests are being conducted to identify the rest of the victims. The investigation of the crime scene is still ongoing.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said molecular genetic examination may be required in some cases which will take at least two weeks.
Editor's P/S:
The tragic concert venue attack in Moscow has left an immeasurable scar on Russia. The loss of so many innocent lives in such a brutal manner is a testament to the depravity of terrorism. The outpouring of grief and solidarity witnessed during the day of mourning
