Death toll from Moscow terror attack rises to 93

This photo taken on March 23, 2024 shows a billboard displaying the image of a candle to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Death toll has risen to 93 people in Friday's terrorist attack after gunmen stormed a concert hall in Moscow, the Investigative Committee of Russia said Saturday. 

The committee previously said investigators, criminologists and experts are working together on the ground with the operational units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Security Service.

"The bodies of the deceased are being examined. Material evidence, including weapons and ammunition, is being confiscated from the crime scene, all necessary examinations are being ordered and are already being carried out, including genetic, ballistic and fingerprint testing," it added.

According to the list of injured persons released by the health department of the Moscow Oblast, there are many children among them. Local governments are calling on residents to donate blood.

Following the terrorist attack, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that all mass gatherings in the city would be canceled this weekend. In addition to Moscow, the Leningrad Oblast, Arkhangelsk Oblast and several other places announced the cancellation of all entertainment, cultural and other public activities.

Russian railways, civil aviation and other departments have issued statements that they will tighten security inspections.

A total of 115 people were hospitalized as a result of the terrorist attack, including five children, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Saturday.

"We hospitalized 115 people, five of them are children. One child is in serious condition," he said.