In this task, a passage will be given and the goal is to identify an event from the passage. An event is defined as a single word representing something that happened, is happening, or may happen. An event can be factual or hypothetical, positive or negative, certain or uncertain. While most events are based on verbs, an event can also be based on a noun (ex. storm, snow, rainfall) or a copula verb (is, was, been, etc.). The event must not be a pronoun or an adjective. For noun events with multiple words, use the last word in the phrase as event.
Q: Passage: However, the kidnappers' identity is still unknown as no one had claimed responsibility for the abduction, said the officials. For fear of more such abduction of its members, the local Red Cross office announced to suspend its activities in the area shortly before their release.
A:
claimed