Bomb carried by woman kills three, injures 21 near Moscow restaurant, authorities say
Details of the Moscow Restaurant Bombing Incident
By Andrew Osborn
The Explosion and Immediate Aftermath
MOSCOW, Aug 1 (Reuters) - A homemade bomb carried by a woman killed three people and injured at least 21 in an explosion near an upscale restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, the authorities said.
Location and Timing
The explosion occurred just before 2000 local time close to an Italian restaurant located in one of Moscow's seven Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinkskaya Square, the police said.
Sequence of Events
Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee said that an unidentified woman had tried to get into the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard, the state RIA news agency reported.
It said the woman, the security guard and a customer at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant had been killed in the blast that followed.
Casualties and Injuries
Those injured received wounds of varying seriousness, the police said.
Response and Investigation
Law Enforcement Actions
Russia's state RIA news agency released video of heavily armed law enforcement officers at the scene, which had been closed off to the public.
Authorities' Statements
The authorities did not name those killed or injured nor did they say who they thought might have been responsible.
Security Measures and Context
More than four years into a full-scale war with Ukraine, Russia's FSB security service said earlier this year that authorities would step up protection for high-ranking military officials after a series of assassinations and attempted killings it blamed on Kyiv.
Theories and Additional Information
Possible Motive and Method
The Kommersant daily newspaper cited its own sources as saying that the bomb had been intended to maim and kill guests who were enjoying themselves on the restaurant's summer terrace outside.
It suggested that the bomb had been set off by someone else remotely and that the woman carrying it may not have known that it was an explosive device.
Restaurant Status
The restaurant's website said the venue had been closed on Saturday for a private event.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Mark Porter)
