Russia’s Health Authority has confirmed at least 14 people died in the rush hour suicide bombing of a trolleybus in Volgograd, Russia.
Taking place within the Dzerzhinsky district on the 30th of December 2013, the blast has been confirmed as a bomb packed with shrapnel, detonated on the one of the city’s main transport lines.
The north Russian city lies only 400 miles north-east of Winter Olympic host city Sochi.
The bomb blasted windowpanes out of frames and damaged nearby building’s facades; leaving a horrific scene of carnage one Russian reporter described as “terrible” with “bodies everywhere [and] blood on the snow.”
Over 30 other individuals were injured.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has stated the explosion is being seen as an act of terrorism – along with the central station suicide attack which took place the day before; killing 17 people in what has been termed Russia’s worst terrorist attack in recent years.
Press houses throughout Russia and the rest of the world are expressing concern the attacks may become increasingly devastating in the lead up to the Winter Olympics; taking place in Sochi in just six weeks.
Heightened security
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a tightening of security across all airport, train, and bus terminals in anticipation of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In addition, an International Olympic Committee spokeswoman has stated adequate protection and security will be provided by the Russian authorities for the games.
Yet concerns still remain around the world, including those voiced by several high profile law enforcement officials in America.
Terrorist action
The Olympic venue in Sochi is close to Russia’s volatile Caucasus region.
Based in the North Caucasus, radical Islamic insurgency has periodically spilled into Russia, causing conflict and death along Russia’s northern border.
As increasing amounts of attention is bestowed on the area in the lead up to February’s Olympics, terrorist action has been led by individuals committed to disrupting the games.
This is the first time an Olympic host country anywhere in the world has experienced such large scale terrorist violence before hosting the games.
Previous high-profile attacks by the Caucasus insurgents include the blast in Moscow’s Domodedovo airport in January 2011 which killed 37 people, and two linked suicide bombings on the metro in Moscow in 2010.