Carnations of grief-Russian nation mourns victims of Moscow terror attack

　　China News Service, Moscow, March 24th: Title: Carnation’s Sorrow—Russia’s Nation Mourns the Victims of the Moscow Terrorist Attack

　　China News Service reporter Tian Bing

　　March 24, local time, was the Russian National Day of Mourning to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attack on the "Krokos City" concert hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region.

　　On the evening of the 22nd, a serious terrorist attack occurred at the "Krocus City" concert hall located 67 kilometers away from the "Grand Ring" highway northwest of Moscow. The latest data released by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations on the 24th showed that terrorist attacks have killed 133 people and injured 152 people.

　　"Krokos City" is a large-scale complex including shopping malls, theaters, exhibition halls, multi-functional residences, etc. It is located at the junction of Moscow City and Moscow Oblast, with convenient transportation and dense population. After the election, as the weekend approached, a well-known band performed at the concert hall that night, and the tickets were almost sold out. The outside world believes that the terrorists chose this time and place as the target of the attack, which is obviously carefully planned and prepared.

　　After the incident, Russia launched an emergency rescue operation and searched for the suspects. A total of 11 suspects are currently detained, including 4 direct perpetrators of the terrorist attack who fled to Bryansk Oblast and have been taken to Moscow for interrogation.

　　Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised speech on the 23rd, expressing condolences to the families of all the victims and declaring the 24th as a national day of mourning.

　　Starting early in the morning on the 24th, a large number of people came to the concert hall near the incident in the rain to lay flowers, light candles, and some even gave stuffed toys. Facing the piles of red carnations and other flowers of various colors, they made the sign of the cross in their hands and prayed, and many women shed tears. Many parents came with their children to pay their respects. The reporter saw that the line of people who came spontaneously stretched for hundreds of meters, and some people stood there for a long time unwilling to leave.

　　Citizen Kowalewski said that although he did not have any relatives or friends who were killed in the terrorist attack, he felt the same. "They thought this would make us panic, but no, no one can scare us."

　　The reporter came to the Red Square and saw that the entire Red Square was still closed and there were armed police officers on duty around it. Looking around, the flag of the Kremlin has been flown at half-mast, and the entire square looks even more spacious in the drizzle. A police officer said that Red Square has been closed since the evening of the 22nd, and it is not yet known when it will be opened to the public. Outside the fence, tourist groups and individual tourists arrive from time to time, taking photos through the railings. A tourist from Australia told reporters that he was shocked by the terrorist attack, especially since there were women and children among the victims. "How could they do it?"

　　The staff of the Russian National Historical Museum told reporters that the Basil's Ascension Cathedral affiliated with the museum will be closed on the 24th, and tourists who have purchased tickets can postpone their visit or refund their tickets. Other venues can still be visited, but entertainment activities are canceled and the number of visitors is limited.

　　It is reported that theaters in Moscow canceled performances from the 23rd to the 24th, cinemas also announced that they would suspend operations, TV stations suspended advertising and entertainment programs, and the Russian Film and Television Producers Association canceled the awards ceremony on the 26th. The friendly match between Russia and Paraguay football teams originally scheduled to be held at the Capital Dynamo Stadium on the 25th was also temporarily canceled.

　　The reporter then came to the vicinity of the Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) and the Russian Government and found that all government agencies and buildings had flags flown at half-mast in mourning. From time to time along the way, we saw that there were obviously more police cars and police officers on duty than usual, but there were far fewer vehicles and pedestrians. There were only sporadic long-distance runners exercising on the usually bustling riverside street.

　　At the entrance of the "Kiev" subway station, passengers line up in an orderly manner to pass through the security gate. Those carrying backpacks have to go through equipment security scanning or security personnel to open their bags for inspection. Lilia, a college student in the same car, said that she had gone to the "Blood Center" to donate blood on the 23rd. "This is a huge tragedy. Maybe there is not much I can do, but I will try my best to help the victims of this tragedy." You may not know that there are really many people donating blood. In the face of difficulties, we must unite."

　　Walking out of the subway station, the electronic display screens erected on the street were playing commemorative candle images. Against the black background of the screen, a candle seemed to be swaying in the wind, with a line of white fonts written underneath: "Mourning 22.03.2024." (over)