The death toll from the tragic terror attack at the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow, Russia, has climbed to 143, with fears that the number may continue to rise as 143 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to the latest reports from the news agency AP. Several burnt bodies recovered from the concert hall are yet to be identified, prompting Russian authorities to conduct DNA tests to confirm their identities.
An emergency list has been compiled to aid in the search for missing persons, following requests from concerned relatives, as reported by Baja News Service. Efforts are underway to locate and identify those who are still missing.
In connection with the attack, Russian security forces have arrested a total of 11 individuals, including four gunmen suspected of involvement in the assault. Subsequently, three others, including a father and son, were apprehended and charged with aiding the attackers. The court has ordered their remand as investigations continue.
The assault, carried out last Friday night by four gunmen at the Crocus City complex in Moscow, prompted swift action from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The FSB revealed that the suspected attackers were attempting to flee to Ukraine following the attack and had "contacts" there, although further details were not provided.
In response to the incident, Russian President Putin condemned the assailants and referred to Ukraine as neo-Nazis, insinuating potential connections between the attackers and groups involved in conflicts with Russia since 2014. President Putin emphasized the need to investigate why the terrorists sought refuge in Ukraine and who awaited them there.
Contrary to Putin's assertions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vehemently denied any involvement of Ukraine in the attack, asserting that Ukraine had no connection to the assailants. Meanwhile, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack in a post on its Telegram channel shortly after the incident.
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