What is known at the moment about the explosion in the St. Petersburg metro?

On April 3, at twenty-three in the subway train, following the "blue" line to the station "Technological Institute" from Haymarket Square, there was an explosion. According to preliminary data, about sixty people were injured, ten of whom died. The incident was almost immediately classified as a terrorist act, but other possible versions will be considered.

Eyewitnesses and Victims

Many passengers had smartphones, which they captured the first seconds after the explosion, so video footage illustrating the incident appeared on the web very quickly - in less than half an hour. They depict a wrought-up car door, the injured, the stations lying on the floor, and people saving the wounded. Smoke is visible, but its nature is still unclear. Perhaps these are powder gases or the consequences of the emergency operation of electrical machines. At first, it was reported about two explosions, but then it was clarified that he was alone.

The death toll was announced in a quarter of an hour, it was called approximately: "not less than ten" (TASS). As it turned out, they were initially nine, but one wounded twenty-year-old girl died an hour later from the injuries during the surgery (Fontanka.ru). Witnesses traveling in other cars told us about the strong cotton they heard during the movement of the train over the haul.

Operational actions

The behavior of the train driver is already recognized as the only true. He did not stop the line-up, but continued the movement, which allowed to avoid panic and accelerate the receipt of assistance by the victims. The actions of the passengers, despite the ambiguity of the situation, were also distinguished by determination and courage. Without waiting for the rescuers, they began to extract the injured themselves and immediately. In the meantime, it was decided to close the station "Ploshad Vosstaniya", located not far from the Moscow railway station, and, of course, stopping traffic on the entire half of the "blue line" cut off as a result of the incident to "Victory Park".

Already after 42 minutes the investigative group arrived and proceeded to work. Criminal proceedings are open. It became known that among the victims there are minors. The TNT equivalent of an explosive device, presumably homemade, is estimated to be approximately 200 to 300 grams with detonating elements encased in a soft shell. The number of victims is confirmed - 10 people.

What did the authorities do?

The Metropolitan is an object of enhanced protection, and precautions are constantly observed in it. April 3 at 8:45 at the station "Black River" was found some unattended object, and it was closed for 45 minutes (Telegram). All this time the train did not stop at it. After the explosion, measures were taken to urgently evacuate people, for which the movement along Nevsky Prospect was partially blocked. As the user of the Network, who witnessed the rescue work, reported, the fire entrance was provided through the Gostiny Dvor. There were rumors of a package found at the station "Ploshchad Vosstaniya" with unknown content. Mobile communication in the area "Haymarket" is temporarily disabled. The incident was reported to the governor, who gave instructions on introducing an emergency operation regime provided for in case of emergency for all relevant departments. The situation was reported to the president of the Russian Federation, who is in Strelna. Later he arrived in St. Petersburg and expressed to the relatives of the dead condolences. So did the Belarusian president, who is also in Strelna, where he came to negotiate ("Lenta").

Evacuation

Against the backdrop of the voluntary free work of most taxi services (Yandex.Taxi, Uber and other large passenger transport operators), as well as ordinary car owners delivering frightened people to the nearest metro, it is quite wildly striving for some private traders to earn more in this tragic Day, but, unfortunately, there were such. Volunteer drivers coordinated actions in social networks. Public transport, too, did not take money for the fare. Eighty employees of the Ministry for Emergency Situations, seven fire engines (16 vehicles in all) and an evacuation helicopter that did not immediately get in the way (vehicles and crowded) arrived, but managed to land. The crew of emergency medical aid also arrived at the place. There were nine-point road congestion, which complicated the situation.

Second Bomb

According to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, another explosive device was laid, but it did not cause any harm, as it was discovered and rendered harmless on time at the Ploshchad Vosstaniya station. The work of employees of special services and law enforcement agencies in search of other possible sources of danger continues uninterruptedly. So far, nothing has been found.

Injured

23 people with various injuries were hospitalized in St. Petersburg hospitals. According to the latest data, they are distributed as follows:

• Mariinsky Hospital - 6 people.
• ВМА - 5 people.
• Research Institute. Dzhanelidze - 11 people.
• City Hospital. Raukhfusa is one 15-year-old girl who came with her grandmother (she is also hospitalized, but in an adult clinic) to St. Petersburg from Siberia (Barnaul). The child had a face burn, he was operated on.

Suspect

The testimony of eyewitnesses who saw in the injured car just before the explosion of a man who had left his rucksack and left was published. If this information is true, it can surprise the passengers' carelessness, which did not raise the alarm, which, however, can partly be explained by the fact that nothing like this has happened for a long time. As for the professionalism of the artist, there are opinions of experts converging on his low level. Otherwise, the device would be laid closer to the head of the train, which would increase the probability of its derailment and increase the number of victims.

So far there is no reason to believe that the suicide acted. The photo of the alleged criminal was published in the media and somewhat surprised by the exaggerated "Orientality" of the image, which may indicate that there is a lack of visibility. There is hope for the testimony of other CCTV cameras, on which it is possible to identify the identity of the terrorist, provided that one of the witnesses is well remembered.

Was the city ready for a terrorist attack?

According to Gazeta.ru, the technical security of citizens in St. Petersburg is implemented at a fairly high level. In particular, the following funds were allocated for the purchase of systems:

- Stationary X-ray installations - 95 million rubles. For the equipment of 15 metro stations.

- Metal detectors for the entrance zones of 67 stations of the State Unitary Enterprise - 59 million rubles.

- CCTV systems - 284 million rubles.

In total, the authorities of St. Petersburg spent more than two billion on antiterrorist technical means in five years (2011-2016). Unfortunately, even their abundance does not guarantee complete safety.

International reaction

Condolences to Russia were expressed by the leaders of the leading countries of the world. Corresponding content of the message came from Estonia (from Prime Minister Uri Rytas), Britain (from Foreign Minister Boris Johnson), the US Embassy in Russia and President Trump, who called the event horrible. The words of sympathy were also expressed by the chairman of the European Council Donald Tusk, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the head of the Israeli government Benjamin Netanyahu and many other people, both distinguished and ordinary citizens.

The investigation of the terrorist act and bringing the perpetrators to justice is a matter of honor of the Russian special services.