DATE=05/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-289646

TITLE=RUSSIA / EXPLOSION (S)

BYLINE=REBECCA SANTANA

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The death toll from Thursday's explosion in the Russian republic of Dagestan has climbed to 39, including 13-children. V-O-A's Rebecca Santana in Moscow reports the attack shocked Russia as it was remembering the end of World War Two in Europe.

TEXT: People across Dagestan observed a day of mourning for the victims of Thursday's blast, which happened in the Caspian Sea town of Kaspiisk, north of Azerbaijan.

Members of a military band, veterans, and civilians were on their way to a ceremony commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two when a mine hidden in the bushes exploded.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said the explosion was the work of scum who hold nothing sacred. He said Russian law enforcement officials will hunt down the people who planted the mine.

Security in Dagestan has been increased with police stopping cars and people to check their documents.

Dagestan borders the breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya, where Chechen rebels have been fighting Russian soldiers for independence. The violence has sometimes spilled over into neighboring Dagestan, where Russian authorities usually blame small-scale bombings on Chechen rebels. (SIGNED)

NEB/RS/JWH/RAE