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2010 Moscow Metro bombings

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2010 Moscow Metro bombings
Central hall of the Lubyanka station
LocationMoscow, Russia
Date29 March 2010
7:56/7:57 MSD and 8:37/8:39 MSD (UTC+4)
TargetMoscow Metro
Attack type
Suicide bombings
WeaponsHexogen explosives[1]
DeathsTotal 38[2][3]:
Lubyanka station: 25
Park Kultury station: 13
Injured102[4]
No. of participants
2 women
Special meeting following the terrorist attacks in the Moscow metro
Special meeting following the terrorist attacks in the Moscow metro
Lubyanka
Lubyanka

The 2010 Moscow Metro bombings were suicide bombings[6] carried out by two women[7][8] during morning rush hour of 29 March 2010. The first happened inside the Moscow Metro station Lubyanka and the second 42 minutes later at Park Kultury station. At least 38 people were killed.[2] Preliminary investigation indicates the bombing was perpetrated by Chechen separatists.[4] Russian officials said it was "the deadliest and most sophisticated terrorist attack in the Russian capital in six years",[9] a reference to the February 2004 Moscow Metro bombing and the August 2004 Moscow metro bombing.

Incident

The first explosion occurred at the Lubyanka station at approximately 7:56 am local time (3:56 am UTC). This was followed by a second explosion at the Park Kultury station around 8:38 am. Panic including stampedes occurred at both stations as commuters attempted to escape.[4]

A third reportedly failed detonation was announced by Life News roughly 40 minutes later, aimed at one of the two Prospekt Mira stations, however, no explosives were found in the suspected plastic bag after it was evacuated from the station.[8] Around 10:04 am local time a call from a public phone announcing another scheduled explosion was made to the Begovaya station staff, with the caller soon revealing it to be a hoax.[10] Another hoax occurred about an hour after the second explosion at the Ulitsa Podbelskogo station when passengers noticed a Muslim woman entering the train.[7][11]

The explosions are thought to be suicide bombings carried out by two women who wore explosive belts, presumably using detonation devices set inside their mobile phones and activated by a call to self.[12] The time of attack was chosen to reflect the maximum passenger capacity of the subway during a workday morning rush.

Aftermath

Around 11:00 am local time, operation "Vulkan" was launched to patrol all the subway stations in search of possible clues to trace the instigators. A passport control brigade of local militia has also been deployed on every station of the Sokolnicheskaya Line.[13]

Russia's Interior Ministry head Rashid Nurgaliyev said security was being boosted across the country, "in particular in those cities with metro systems."[14] Tuesday, March 30 was announced to be the Day of Mourning nationwide.[15]

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin issued a decree ordering the allocation from the Reserve Fund of 300,000 rubles to the families of those killed in the bombings, plus 18,000 rubles for funeral expenses, and of 50,000–100,000 rubles to those who were injured in the attacks, depending on the severity of the injuries.[16][17]

Casualties

Early reports from Russian officials stated that at least 36 people were killed, with 24 killed in the explosion at the Lubyanka station and 12 at Park Kultury. Two other people died in the stampede that occurred at both stations after the blast. Over 100 other passengers sustained mild to serious injuries.[4][12]

Investigation

Officials suspect that Muslim rebels from the troubled North Caucasus region that includes Chechnya are responsible for the attack.[4][18][8], the link to the Islamists[19][20] was immediate.

The Investigation Committee started a criminal investigation under article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code ("act of terrorism").[21]

Perpetrators

Two women are believed to have caused the explosion in two consecutive suicide attacks. Russia's FSB security service alleged these Chechen "black widows" of various ages whose bodies were recovered could be wives of deceased rebel husbands from North Caucasus.[22] Their faces were not harmed in the blast, the first attack was made with a force of up to 4 kg of TNT while the second attack was carried out by a dark-haired woman with a equivalent of 2 kg of TNT strapped to her waist. Both bombs were packed with metal nuts and bolts to increase the destructive nature of the blast.[3][23] Unconfirmed reports indicate the suiciders tried to take the explosives to the building of Russian Ministry of Defense on Arbat street.[15] Law enforcement also speculates the suicide bombers may have confused the stations missing one of their original targets - Oktyabrskaya station. They allege the planned attack foresaw blowing up the Lyubanka station, which is located next to central headquarters of FSB followed by the an explosion at Oktyabrskaya which is attached to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.[24]

Female suicide bombers, known as "black widows," have been involved in suicide bombings on numerous occasions, including 2004 bombings of two passenger planes that took off from Domodedovo International Airport, previous Moscow metro bombings and during the Beslan school hostage crisis.[22]

Reactions

Domestic

Following the attacks, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared:

We will continue the operation against terrorists without hesitation and to the end. It is difficult to prevent such terrorist attacks and to provide security on transport. It is necessary to tighten what we do, to look at the problem on a national scale, not only relating to a certain populated area but on a national scale. Obviously, what we have done before is not enough.[25]

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin added: "It is well known that today a terrible crime against civilians in its effects and disgusting in its character was carried out ... I am sure that police will do their best to find and punish the criminals. The terrorists will be destroyed."[26]

Ramzan Kadyrov, President of the Chechen Republic, said: "The organizers and executors [of the attacks], whoever they are, are trying to spark chaos, drive Russia into the abyss of fear, distrust, undermine its economy. There should be no indifferent people in the fight against this evil. Evil does not choose its victims on the basis of national, religious, or racial traits."[27]

Various religious groups also issued condemnations of the attacks. Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia called for solidarity in the face of the tragedy and condemned not only the terrorists but also those who have tried to gain from human grief: "I've just been told that taxi drivers have raised their prices several times just because people are unable to use the metro. This money will do you no good."[28] The Council of Muftis said that "extremism and terrorism have no basis in the Holy Quran," and added that "a terrorist cannot be a Muslim while a Muslim cannot be a terrorist."[28] Russia's chief rabbi, Berel Lazar, said he was sure the masterminds of the terrorist attack would get the punishment they deserved.[28]

International

The attack sparked condemnation and expressions of condolence from numerous governments and heads of state, including Abkhazia,[29] Azerbaijan,[30] Armenia,[31] Belarus,[30] Bulgaria,[30] Canada,[32] China,[33] Colombia,[34] the Czech Republic,[30] Estonia,[30] France,[30] Georgia,[30] Germany,[35] India,[36] Israel,[37] Latvia,[30] Lithuania,[38] Poland,[30] Serbia,[39][23][40] Tajikstan,[30] Ukraine,[38] the United Kingdom,[41] and the United States.[42][43]

The National Assembly of Serbia held a moment of silence,[44] and the Mayor of Belgrade, Dragan Đilas, sent condolences to Yury Luzhkov, the Mayor of Moscow.[45]

Security and police presence on the New York City subway system were increased.[46]

Non-state entities

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Head of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso condemned the attacks, expressed condolences to the victims' families, and voiced the commitment of NATO and the European Union, respectively, to cooperate with Russia in combating international terrorism.[30][47] Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, said the bombings were an attack on the whole of Europe, and that the terrorists' target was freedom, democracy and the supremacy of law, which are the priority values of the Council of Europe.[30]

Amnesty International "unreservedly condemned" the attack. Director of Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Programme, Halya Gowan, declared: "There can be no justification for such vicious attacks on the lives of civilians and those who are responsible for it should be apprehended and brought to justice strictly in line with international human rights standards," but also noted that "the Russian authorities must also ensure human rights are respected in their response to the attack."[48]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2010 Moscow Metro bombings.
External media
Images
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image icon View 2 of platform
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Video
video icon Russia Today Report
video icon Park Kulturi station after the act of terror

References

  1. ^ "Medvedev calls for tightened security after Moscow metro blasts". PRIME-TASS. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  2. ^ a b "Bombers kill at least 38 in Moscow subway". Reuters. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  3. ^ a b "Two blasts in Moscow Metro, dozens killed". RT. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  4. ^ a b c d e NBC and news services (March 29, 2010). "Suicide bombers kill 37 in Moscow's subway FSB security service's HQ is in building above one of targeted stations". MSNBC.com. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  5. ^ "Female suicide bombers blamed in Moscow subway attacks". CNN.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  6. ^ "FSB confirmed information about female suicide bombers in Moscow underground" (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  7. ^ a b "According to preliminary data, explosions at Moscow underground stations Lubyanka and Park Kultury were performed by female suicide bombers" (in Russian). Ekho Moskvy. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  8. ^ a b c "Moscow Metro hit by deadly suicide bombings". BBC. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  9. ^ "Washington Post report, March 29 2010". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  10. ^ "Moscow police ([[GUVD]]) disproved information about third and fouth explosions" (in Russian). Top.rbc.ru. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  11. ^ "Suicide bombers went down to the underground" (in Russian). RBCdaily. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  12. ^ a b "Terrorist acts in Moscow metro were performed by suicide bombers" (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  13. ^ "Moscow underground attacked by terrorists. PHOTOS. VIDEOS" (in Russian). Top.rbc.ru. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  14. ^ "Security stepped up across Russia after deadly Moscow blasts". RIA Novosti. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  15. ^ a b "В связи с произошедшими взрывами в Москве 30 марта объявлен Днем траура". First Channel. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Families of Moscow metro attacks will be paid 300,000 rubles – government decree". Interfax. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  17. ^ Stack, Megan K (29 March 2010). "Suicide bombers hit two Moscow subway stations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  18. ^ "Subway Blasts Kill Dozens in Moscow". The New York Times. March 29, 2010.
  19. ^ "UPI NewsTrack TopNews". UPI.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  20. ^ "Us-International Summary". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  21. ^ "Underground — explosions" (in Russian). Expert.ru. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  22. ^ a b Andrew Osborn (2010-03-29). "Moscow bombing: who are the Black Widows". Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  23. ^ a b "News — Politics — Unclear if Serbs were among victims in Moscow". B92. 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  24. ^ Lena Chuguy (2010-03-29). "Террористки-смертницы могли перепутать станции метро". Argumenty i Fakty. Retrieved 2010-03-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Medvedev says to fight terrorism without hesitation". Xinhuanet. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  26. ^ "Moscow terrorist attack organizers will be punished – Putin". RIA Novosti. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  27. ^ "Chechnya's Kadyrov condemns blasts in Moscow subway". RIA Novosti. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  28. ^ a b c "Russian religious leaders condemn Moscow subway blasts". RIA Novosti. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  29. ^ "PRESIDENT OF ABKHAZIA SERGEY BAGAPSH SENT TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV IN CONNECTION WITH ACT OF TERROR IN MOSCOW SUBWAY". President of the Republic of Abkhazia. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Foreign leaders sympathize with Russia over blasts". Voice of Russia. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  31. ^ "President Sargsyan extends condolence to Russia's Medvedev". Panorama. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  32. ^ "Canada condemns 'cowardly attacks'- Politics — Canoe.ca". Cnews.canoe.ca. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  33. ^ "China condemns Moscow subway bombings". News.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  34. ^ "Atentados en Moscú; Colombia rechazó el acto terrorista — Noticias de Europa — Mundo". Eltiempo.Com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  35. ^ "Obama condemns Moscow subway blasts". RIA Novosti. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  36. ^ "India condemns horrific Moscow attacks, assures support". Press Trust of India. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  37. ^ "Netanyahu to Russia: Israel stands with you against terror — Haaretz — Israel News". Haaretz. 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  38. ^ a b "World deplores Moscow blasts, sends condolences to Russia". Foreign states. RIA Novosti. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  39. ^ 21:21 - 29. 03. 2010. "Телеграм саучешћа поводом терористичких напада у Русији". Predsednik.rs. Retrieved 2010-03-29. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help)
  40. ^ "Dačić uputio saučešće povodom stradanja u Moskvi" (in Template:Sr icon). Pressonline.rs. Retrieved 2010-03-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  41. ^ "As it happened: Moscow Metro bombings". BBC. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  42. ^ U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday condemned suicide bombings in Moscow, Reuters
  43. ^ Bombings in Moscow, State.Gov
  44. ^ "Bombaški napad u moskovskom metrou" (in Template:Sr icon). Rts.rs. Retrieved 2010-03-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  45. ^ "Градоначелник Драган Ђилас упутио телеграм саучешћа градоначелнику Москве Јурију Лушкову". Beograd.rs. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  46. ^ "MTA, NYPD beef up security after Moscow subway bombings Newsday March 29, 2010". Newsday.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  47. ^ "NATO chief condemns Moscow blasts". Voice of Russia. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  48. ^ "Deadly Moscow subway bomb attacks condemned | Amnesty International". Amnesty.org. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
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