Officials in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan say 41 people have died from Thursday's bombing in the city of Kaspiisk. 

The Russian Federal Security Service says several people have been detained in connection with the blast. No one has claimed responsibility, but local officials say they suspect Islamic militants. The explosion - which authorities say was set off by a remote controlled device - ripped through the Caspian Sea port during a parade celebrating Russia's victory in World War II. 

Officials say 17 of the bombing victims were children. At least 150 people were wounded - many of them remain hospitalized in serious condition. Friday has been declared an official day of mourning. 

At the Kremlin Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and other top officials to discuss the investigation and aid to the blast victims. 

Thursday Mr. Putin told a Kremlin Victory Day gathering that the attack was the work of "Nazi-like scum" who, he said, hold nothing sacred. He vowed to hunt down and punish those responsible. 

In a White House statement, President Bush called the attack an "evil act of terrorism," and noted that it took place at a time when the United States and Russia are allied in a war against terror. 

Dagestan borders the breakaway region of Chechnya where Muslim rebels have been fighting for independence. The fighting in Chechnya often spills over into Dagestan where small-scale bombings have been quite frequent. This explosion was the deadliest in several years. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP. 

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