“1 percent of residents sacrificed” Beslan, the ‘City of Wailing’

The peaceful southern city of Beslan, Russia, with a population of 34,000, has turned into a “city of wailing” overnight. The hostage situation has finally ended, but over 1 percent of the population has either disappeared or died. There seems to be no home unaffected by this tragedy. Above all, more than half the victims were beloved sons and daughters. The first funeral was held for victims yesterday. At first, the city authorities planned to hold a mass funeral, but as the number of victims increased and about 260 people went missing, their status uncertain, the plan was abandoned.

Parents who do not know their children’s whereabouts are mindlessly wandering the streets of Beslan and the cultural palace area, where the emergency headquarters has been set up. Images of one couple, the Tatyeevs, were broadcast on TV as they asked passersby about the whereabouts of their four children, pictures of them clasped in their hands. The government-owned Russian news agency reported that a large number of families either lost their children or have children missing. Also, the people who survived the accident are still in shock. All six members of the Sidakof family, who attended their son’s beginning-of-school ceremony, fortunately were rescued. However, the children, firmly holding their parents’ hands, did not speak even one word all day long.

Experts said psychological counseling was urgent for the survivors. However, due to limited medical equipment and personnel, it is even hard to care for those who are physically injured from the attack. Some patients were moved to the nearby city of Vladikavkaz, while 20 children in critical condition were transferred to Moscow.

Beslan Public School Number 1, the tragic scene of the explosion, remains gaunt, with the gymnasium’s roof blown away and its walls crumbled down. Only blood stains and bullet holes indicate the tragic situation at that time. City authorities have stated that instead of trying to rebuild the school, they will build a new one. Some said the school building should be kept as it is, as a monument to the horrors of terrorism.

The city of Beslan is unfamiliar even to the Russians. However, it has now left a permanent mark of pain in their hearts because of this tragic incident. The Russian government has declared today and tomorrow national days of mourning. Yesterday was Moscow Day, the 857th anniversary of the construction of Moscow, but most of the celebration events were canceled.

The fear of terrorism is sweeping Russia. On Friday, schools nationwide were closed. The Russian authorities have strengthened the guard on schools. However, concerns of additional terrorisms still prevail. Not only are the people avoiding crowed places, but they seem to be reluctant even to leave the house.

The daily newspaper Izvestiya has reported that one-third of foreigners who were planning to visit Russia have canceled their trips due to this incident.

Ki-Hyun Kim kimkihy@donga.com