When news of terrorism left more than 100 people in critical condition, many Vietnamese people lined up for hours in the cold rain to donate blood to help the victims and at the same time raise money for support.
It was almost time for the show to be titled Fear nothing of the Picnic music group at the Crocus City Hall theater in Krasnogorsk, Moscow province. On the evening of March 22, a group of people arrived in a minivan, carrying AK rifles, broke in and opened fire at anyone they met on the street. The terrorist group then doused the theater with gasoline and lit it, causing a huge fire that engulfed the theater.
Most of the theater's roof collapsed, burying many victims. The Russian Investigative Committee announced that 133 people died. More than 100 people are being treated at the hospital, many in critical condition.
Blood donation stations usually do not work on weekends, but for urgent reasons, doctors were summoned and spread out to many hospitals the next morning, March 23.
Responding to the call, many people spent hours lining up outside hospital locations, waiting for orders to complete testing procedures and donate blood to save victims, including Vietnamese people. The temperature in Moscow on March 23 was below 3 degrees Celsius and there was rain.
People lined up in the rain to donate blood to save victims injured in the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall theater in Russia, on the morning of March 23. Photo: KP
Hearing the news of terrorism, doctor Nguyen Dinh Bao in Moscow went to the transfusion and donation station of Lyubersu hospital and donated 450 ml of blood "without waiting for the authorities to call". The doctor said the line was very long and had to wait at least 2-3 hours.
“The sites have many volunteers providing food and warm tea to donors. It's just a pity that many overseas Vietnamese feel sad for the Russians and want to donate blood but are not qualified due to many conditions," Dr. Bao, 31 years old, head of the medical board of the Vietnamese student community in Russia, told VnExpress.
30 km from the theater, Ms. Thuy, 30 years old, and her daughter waited in line for nearly 5 hours in the cold and rainy weather after hearing about the tragedy, but were not eligible due to their low weight.
"Even if they begged to donate, they wouldn't give it, but they were very grateful and expressed their gratitude to the hearts of the Vietnamese people," she said. Doctor Bao stated some conditions for blood donation such as having permanent residence in Russia, weighing over 50 kg, not having infectious diseases, not drinking alcohol 2 days before blood collection, not smoking 2 hours before,...
In addition to donating blood, dozens of Vietnamese people also sent money to Sberbank's official fund to support victims. "A little is a lot, I would like to express my condolences to the victim's family and hope that the injured recover quickly," said Ms. Xuyen, who donated 50 USD.
Moscow health officials said nearly 3.000 people donated blood on March 23, collecting nearly 3 liters of blood.
A woman cried as she paid tribute to the victims of the shooting outside the barricades surrounding the scene. Photo: AFP
This is the deadliest attack in Russia in nearly two decades. Vietnam sent a telegram of condolences to Russia, expressing "extreme shock upon receiving information about the brutal terrorist attack." The United Nations and many other countries also strongly condemned the incident.
“Can only be described in one word: Fear! People don't risk their lives to play like that," said Binh, 28 years old, owner of the Viet Cay Shop food store in Moscow.
Before the terrorist attack happened, Binh planned to take the subway home. After learning about terrorism in the suburbs, he immediately took a taxi. "Taxi prices have tripled every day due to a sudden increase in demand," Mr. Binh said.
That evening, Dr. Bao was working at Moscow Sechenov National Medical University Hospital. He was deeply shocked when his relatives told him the news, urging him to come home soon. On the way to work the next morning, Mr. Bao said authorities tightened security, setting up many police checkpoints and vehicle checkpoints. Many Russians are insecure and limit public gatherings.
All crowded events in Moscow are suspended, students study online. Doctor Bao's family also plans to limit gatherings in crowded places and temporarily order food to be delivered home.
The screen displays lit candles, commemorating the victims who died in the terrorist attack, on the streets of Moscow, March 23. Photo: AFP
The Crocus Theater shooting raises questions about the capabilities of Russia's current security after many years without similar events occurring in the country. In 2000 and 2010, Moscow suffered a series of suicide bombings targeting the city's subway system and airport.
In recent years, similar attacks appear to have disappeared, thanks in part to a series of counterinsurgency campaigns deployed by Russian security over several years.
Observers believe that the Crocus Theater was chosen as a target because this is an area where many people gather to enjoy art, and the security level is not as high as facilities in central Moscow. Crocus City Hall Theater is located in a large complex and commercial center, located nearly 20 km from the Kremlin.
Location of Crocus City Hall theater in the suburbs of Moscow, the Russian capital. Graphics: FT
Many expatriates in Moscow expressed that they still believe in security work. “Despite the shock, the safety work in the center of the capital is very good and security is very high. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) also very quickly identified and successfully arrested the suspects," the doctor said.
FSB arrested 11 people involved in the attack, including 4 people who directly acted. All four main suspects are currently detained in the Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced increased security and anti-terrorism and sabotage measures in Moscow as well as all regions of the country.
Mr. Phan Manh Hung, 56 years old, owner of a sports clothing business in Moscow, also maintains faith in ensuring security in the capital. On the morning of March 23, Mr. Hung was busy with work, but his son went to donate blood.
“Vietnamese small businesses still operate normally. Many people started to switch to online sales, so the impact from the terrorist attack was not great," Mr. Hung said.
"There is nothing disturbing in daily life, but when I go out in the morning and look everywhere at the displays commemorating the victims, I have never seen such a sad scene," said Ms. Xuyen, a small trader in Moscow. speak. "I just hope the victims' relatives and Russia will soon overcome this pain."
Duc Trung – Vnexpress.net
