Sgt Sostand
07-05-03, 05:49 PM
Two female suicide bombers killed 14 people Saturday outside a rock festival in Moscow, Russian authorities said.
"Two explosions occurred. There were two women suicide bombers," Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov said.
He blamed Chechen separatists for the attack.
Authorities said two women came up to the perimeter of the Tushino airfield in northwest Moscow where they were stopped from entering the concert. The fourth annual festival, called "Krylya" (Wings), is popular with young people.
The first blast occurred when one woman stopped by guards at the festival entrance detonated an explosives belt. The belt only partially exploded. The second woman detonated explosives strapped to her body at another entrance, the authorities said.
Police said they found the passport of one of the women, age 20, who has a Chechen name.
Moscow police spokesman Valeri Gribakin said 13 victims have been identified. He said at least 60 people asked for or had been given medical aid.
Some of the approximately 20,000 people at the concert were evacuated in buses.
Russian authorities opened a criminal investigation into the attack, saying it was premeditated murder.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of the incident.
Gryzlov suggested the attacks were connected with Putin's announcement Friday to hold local presidential elections in Chechnya in October.
Many Chechens rejected the Kremlin plan and vowed to press on with their campaign to oust the military.
"I presume that this inhumane situation, this terrorist act, is linked with the staging of this event," Gryzlov was quoted by Reuters as saying. "If the explosions had occurred on the field itself, the consequences would have been far more serious."
In a statement, U.S. President George W. Bush said Saturday he "strongly condemns" the attack, and expressed his sympathies to the victims and their families. "No cause justifies terrorism," Bush said.
"No cause justifies terrorism, and as long as innocents are threatened by terror, the fight against this evil will continue," Bush said. "The civilized nations of the world will prevail."
There were no claims of responsibility. But it would not be the first time Chechens opposed to Moscow rule have carried out suicide attacks.
Last month a female suicide bomber killed at least 17 people after throwing herself under a bus carrying members of Russia's military near Chechnya. (Full Story)
Last year Chechen rebels targeted a Moscow theater, holding dozens hostage until Russian special troops stormed the building after letting off a mystery gas
"Two explosions occurred. There were two women suicide bombers," Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov said.
He blamed Chechen separatists for the attack.
Authorities said two women came up to the perimeter of the Tushino airfield in northwest Moscow where they were stopped from entering the concert. The fourth annual festival, called "Krylya" (Wings), is popular with young people.
The first blast occurred when one woman stopped by guards at the festival entrance detonated an explosives belt. The belt only partially exploded. The second woman detonated explosives strapped to her body at another entrance, the authorities said.
Police said they found the passport of one of the women, age 20, who has a Chechen name.
Moscow police spokesman Valeri Gribakin said 13 victims have been identified. He said at least 60 people asked for or had been given medical aid.
Some of the approximately 20,000 people at the concert were evacuated in buses.
Russian authorities opened a criminal investigation into the attack, saying it was premeditated murder.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of the incident.
Gryzlov suggested the attacks were connected with Putin's announcement Friday to hold local presidential elections in Chechnya in October.
Many Chechens rejected the Kremlin plan and vowed to press on with their campaign to oust the military.
"I presume that this inhumane situation, this terrorist act, is linked with the staging of this event," Gryzlov was quoted by Reuters as saying. "If the explosions had occurred on the field itself, the consequences would have been far more serious."
In a statement, U.S. President George W. Bush said Saturday he "strongly condemns" the attack, and expressed his sympathies to the victims and their families. "No cause justifies terrorism," Bush said.
"No cause justifies terrorism, and as long as innocents are threatened by terror, the fight against this evil will continue," Bush said. "The civilized nations of the world will prevail."
There were no claims of responsibility. But it would not be the first time Chechens opposed to Moscow rule have carried out suicide attacks.
Last month a female suicide bomber killed at least 17 people after throwing herself under a bus carrying members of Russia's military near Chechnya. (Full Story)
Last year Chechen rebels targeted a Moscow theater, holding dozens hostage until Russian special troops stormed the building after letting off a mystery gas