Moscow Blast Death Toll Rises to 91; Cause Still Uncertain
The death toll from an explosion that tore through a Moscow apartment building rose to at least 91 Saturday, while investigators still couldn’t say for sure what caused the devastating blast.
Several officials, including Mayor Yuri M. Luzhkov, claimed that the explosion, which happened in the southeast section of the city, outside the center, was the result of a terrorist attack. The Federal Security Service, the country’s main intelligence agency, confirmed Saturday that two suspects had been arrested in connection with their investigation.
A security service spokesman refused to give any information about the suspects. The Interfax news agency said the two had been linked to a business on the nine-story building’s first floor, where the blast was said to have occurred.
The Thursday explosion had a force equivalent to 440 to 660 pounds of dynamite. About 250 people were injured, and dozens remained hospitalized Saturday.
Rescue teams had sifted through most of the rubble by Saturday afternoon. Nineteen residents remained missing.
Fewer than 50 of the victims have been identified, NTV television reported. The first funeral was held Saturday, for a family of three.
Investigators said they believed explosives were involved but wouldn’t say if it was an accident.
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