Dmitry Medvedev informed of this the participants in the videoconference with President of North Ossetia-Alania Taimuraz Mamsurov, Emergency Minister Sergei Shoigu and Deputy Healthcare and Social Development Minister Maksim Topilin.
President Medvedev said today's bombing in Vladikavkaz was performed by criminals with whom there can be no truce or compromise. What has happened is a cynical act of terrorism directed against the civilian population and we will do everything to ensure that the perpetrators are tracked down and punished in accordance with the law of our country, and if they put up resistance they will be destroyed, the President stressed.
We must first concentrate on providing assistance and support to the victims, Dmitry Medvedev said and instructed Taimuraz Mamsurov and Alexander Khloponin, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, to take charge of this work.
The rescue plane IL-76, equipped to evacuate the seriously wounded, has already left for North Ossetia. A second plane is getting ready for take-off, Emergency Minister Sergei Shoigu reported. In addition, telemedicine equipment is being installed at the republican hospital in Vladikavkaz to allow the local doctors to consult neurosurgery and traumatology specialists in Moscow, Mr Shoigu said.
Maksim Topilin reported to Dmitry Medvedev that the Healthcare Ministry has prepared a draft Government order on financial assistance to the victims. One million rubles per family will be allocated for the relatives of those killed, the severely wounded will receive 400,000 rubles, and those who received minor and moderate injuries will receive 200,000 rubles. The draft will be submitted to the Government today.
A terrorist attack took place today near the central market in Vladikavkaz. According to the Healthcare Ministry of North Ossetia, the attack killed 16 people and 99 have been hospitalised.