2006年VOA标准英语-Blast at Moscow Market Appears to Be Commercial

By Bill Gasperini
Moscow
21 August

arcade1 at a market in the northeastern part of Moscow, Monday, August 21, 2006 " src="/upimg/allimg/070417/0825030.jpg" width="210" border="0" /> Rescuers carry the body of man killed by a blast, which hit a two-story trading arcade at a market in the northeastern part of Moscow, Monday, August 21, 2006

At least eight people were killed and dozens more injured when an explosion ripped through an Asian market in Moscow. Security officials say the incident is likely the result of a commercial dispute in a city where such incidents are not uncommon².

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The blast ripped through a two-story market in eastern Moscow, which was packed with traders and shoppers on a busy Monday morning.

The Eurasia market is known for its many traders of Chinese and Vietnamese origin, who mostly sell clothes and household goods in a crowded warren of small kiosks.

The force of the blast tore off a large section of the roof.

This eyewitness³ says the roof suddenly "flew away," and that hundreds of people fled in panic, after hearing the huge noise of the explosion.

Security officials said it appeared some kind of homemade explosive device exploded, and in turn caused a gas container to blow up.

Officials suspect some kind of commercial dispute. Several similar incidents have occurred at Moscow markets before.

A suspicious fire occurred at the same Eurasia market a year ago.

After visiting the scene, Moscow city prosecutor⁴ Yury Semin said he is also working on the theory that the blast resulted from some kind of commercial competition or dispute between criminal groups.

Authorities do not believe the blast was a terrorist act, although they say an investigation⁵ is still underway.

Witnesses to Monday's blast say they are aware there is danger at the Eurasia market, but that they will continue to shop there, as it is known for its bargain prices on many goods.

1 arcade   

n.拱廊；(一侧或两侧有商店的)通道

参考例句：

• At this time of the morning,the arcade was almost empty.在早晨的这个时候，拱廊街上几乎空无一人。
• In our shopping arcade,you can find different kinds of souvenir.在我们的拱廊市场，你可以发现许多的纪念品。

2 uncommon   

adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的

参考例句：

• Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。
• Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。

3 eyewitness   

n.目击者，见证人

参考例句：

• The police questioned several eyewitness to the murder.警察询问了谋杀案的几位目击者。
• He was the only eyewitness of the robbery.他是那起抢劫案的唯一目击者。

4 prosecutor   

n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人

参考例句：

• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
• The prosecutor would tear your testimony to pieces.检查官会把你的证言驳得体无完肤。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。