[Russia] - 'I'm Trying to Forget It': Moscow Concert Attack Survivors Grapple With Trauma

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
least 140 people.Days after camouflaged gunmen stormed Crocus City Hall, those who managed to escape the horror and chaos are still
On Friday night, gunmen broke into the venue, shooting indiscriminately at concertgoers before setting fire to the building, leaving it in
ruins.The assault on the 6,200-capacity concert hall took place before the start of a sold-out concert by the veteran rock band Piknik."We
Of course, we were planning to attend as usual," said one of the survivors, who requested anonymity.Burning Crocus City Hall.Sergei
Vedyashkin / Moskva News AgencyHe told The Moscow Times that he and his family managed to escape in about 15 to 20 minutes with the help of
an unarmed guard."We heard gunshots
Everyone was in a state of panic
Some had glassy eyes, while others tried to barricade themselves inside the hall
We could tell that the shots were coming from the first floor," he told The Moscow Times
He tried to call the 112 emergency number, but no one answered.After about 50 minutes, when they were finally rescued, he could still hear
When he escaped the building, he said he saw "a huge number of ambulances and firefighters" outside.More than 5,000 people were evacuated
from Crocus City Hall
In total, at least 360 people, including 11 children, were injured in the attack, 60 of whom remain hospitalized, Moscow authorities said
intense anxiety and fear.Emergency services near the burning building of Crocus City Hall.Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News AgencyLike
said were clear signs of torture
Unverified footage of their brutal interrogations also circulated on social media.The men, identified as citizens of Tajikistan, were
charged with terrorism and placed in pre-trial detention for two months
All four pleaded guilty, Russian authorities said
Four other people were later arrested for allegedly providing a vehicle, an apartment and cash to the suspects
Hall.Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News AgencyDespite the gravity of the accusations against the suspects, human rights activists have warned
people started to lay flowers and candles in memory of the victims outside Crocus City Hall.Yevgeny told The Moscow Times he returned to the
to ask.As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent"
by the Russian government
This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.We, the journalists
of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced
Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken
But we need your help to continue our critical mission.Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference
If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2
It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent
journalism
Thank you.Continue