Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: As had been seen elsewhere in Eastern Europe , the Jews were transported on trucks to the outskirts of the city and then summarily shot in partially dug pits .
Simplified: As had been seen elsewhere in Europe , the dwindling followers of Judaism were transported on trucks to the outskirts of the city . There they were then shot in partially dug pits .