I am Israel's Lady in Red and this is how I survived Nova festival massacre
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Published 2023-12-08
A young woman, running for her life, fear etched on her face as twisted Hamas gunmen targeted the Nova rave festival in the early hours slaughtering at least 340 and taking 40 people hostage.
The last time she was seen, she wore a red shawl over her shoulders, and was surrounded by dozens of other terrified festival goers frantically running across a desert for safety, before climbing into the back of a car.
For weeks the world has wondered if she made it, whether she was alive or dead.
Now MailOnline has found her and, for the first time, Vlada Patapov - a 25-year-old Ukrainian-born mother of one - tells her story.
#dailymail #israel #hamas
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All Comments (21)
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I am glad she made it out, I stand with Israel with all my heart ❤️.
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Her experience and story reminded me of my own, fleeing the Las Vegas shooting in 2017. I will never ever forget the girl next to me screaming “everyone is dead”. 6 years later and I’m still dealing with the PTSD and nightmares. I will pray for her and everyone else who was affected. 🙏🏻
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It's crazy how every single interview I watched with survivors from October 7th have all said the same thing - it didn't feel right. They weren't having fun like they normally were and the day felt unsettling. Trust your gut. Always.
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Horrendous… I’m glad the lady in red survived and that she and her husband could go back safe to their daughter. I was touched by her testimony.
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Yet there are those who do not believe this happened!’
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“The only lives that truly matter are those who respect the lives of others”.
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Wow! So glad Mattan survived too. In a time like that who cares who cries or who is scared or not! They are all vulnerable humans caught off guard. Much love to this family.
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She is Ukrainian also. Mind boggling how she feels and how she sees the world we live in
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There are 3 people that stick in my mind from this day, the lady in red, lady on a motorcycle and the lady having her hair pulled dragging her back to the car, I’m not sure I’m right but I believe this lady is the only one to survive, all very brave woman I guess. May she (as well as others) be able at some point live her life as normal as possible, I pray for that🙏🏻
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Stay strong ❤️🙏🏻 from switzerland
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Just FYI. Red is the most easily recognizable color for the human eye, meaning our eyes are drawn to red. In a situation like this, if you are wearing a red jacket or shawl, get rid of it. She is very fortunate, and not because of the color necessarily, but because she got out safely while 340 innocents were slaughtered.
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What a horrifying experience. I'm so glad this young woman and Mattan survived and she was reunited with her daughter. I can't imagine the pain of having experienced this while so many others didn't survive. She is so strong to recount the story. We must never forget.
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How lovely and strong young woman. She doesn't want to feel or be seen as a victim but as a survivor of this horrific attack. It's a very therapeutic way of healing.
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My heart goes out to you. Stay strong. ❤ from ireland 🇮🇪
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I stand with Israel, not with Terrorism
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I just want to cry, two women from my daughter' work, didn't have the same luck. They two were murdered there, one of them with her husband. They were mothers too, they left 2 orphans each!😢
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You're a beautiful and brave woman. We all hope you will heal from this trauma. You have a child who needs you and may she give you the strength you need to overcome this.
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What a lovely strong girl she is... an absolute credit to her parents and upbringing!
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Evil showed up on October 7th in the most horrible way but so glad people like this young lady made it to proclaim to the world evil won't win! Israel you are not alone!
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Countless heartbreaking stories of innocent people who suffered unimaginable trauma on October 7, 2023. The pain they endured and continue to bear is a burden that weighs heavily on our hearts and minds. 🎗️ #letmypeoplego
