Following the assault at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Moscow, dozens of individuals remain unaccounted for, sparking concerns that the death toll, currently at 143, could escalate further.
Efforts by some relatives to locate their loved ones have led them to scour hospitals across the capital, with the intense blaze at the venue leaving many victims unidentifiable.
Among those missing is 42-year-old Oleg Shikhovtsev from Lyubertsy, who attended the Picnic concert with his wife and 19-year-old daughter. While shielding his family during the attack, Oleg’s wife sustained injuries to her back, and his daughter was also harmed.
Though Oleg’s wife managed to evacuate their daughter from the venue and get her to a hospital, Oleg himself remains unreachable. Despite diligent attempts by relatives to locate him, including inquiries at various hospitals and following leads from witnesses, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Complicating matters, a distressing video released by the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack, has fueled concerns that Oleg may be among the victims depicted.
Meanwhile, Russian investigators have announced genetic examinations on remains found at the site to facilitate victim identification. In a separate development, four individuals from Tajikistan accused of perpetrating the assault appeared in court, displaying signs of severe torture. They were identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov.