Belarusian woman killed in concert hall attack in Russia

March 24, Pozirk. A Belarusian woman was killed in the concert hall attack near Moscow on Friday, the Belarusian embassy in Russia reports.

The embassy’s consular service is in contact with her family members to provide all possible assistance, it added, asking journalists to respect victims’ privacy.

Earlier reports said that Alim Kašavaraŭ and Vadzim Kulik, Belarusian concert hall guards, were injured during the attack. Kašavaraŭ’s condition is assessed as extremely serious.

Gunmen in camouflage opened fire at the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow late on March 22. The death toll currently stands at 133 people, with at least 154 wounded.

Alaksandar Łukašenka promptly offered his condolences to Vladimir Putin, followed by other Belarusian officials and agencies. On Saturday, Łukašenka and Putin talked on the phone, confirming readiness to “effectively respond to threats of terrorism and extremism.”

Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja also issued a statement with condolences to the victims’ families.

Belarusian interior ministry stepped up public security procedures in connection with the attack in Russia.

On March 23, Russian law enforcers reportedly arrested 11 suspects, including four in Russia’s Bryansk region, heading to the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Belarusian security forces helped their Russian colleagues to stop the alleged attackers from escaping across the Belarusian-Russian border, Belarusian envoy Dźmitryj Krutoj said.