word for "Capturing one's attention by means of a great tragedy"

I am looking for a single-word which distinctly means "to captivate the attention in a profound and stupefying way", but such that it would carry a strong connotation of this "captivated attraction" or "calling" being due, very distinctly, to a tragedy.

For example: "The affixed ears of England were (single-word for suddenly being captivated by some great tragedy) by the King's untimely death."

or for another example: if you had to put the adjoined phrase: "Distraughtly fascinated" in one word.

Solution 1:

'Transfix' usually involves (and therefore has a strong connotation of) something horrendous being the cause.

She stared at him, transfixed.

transfix: cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment.

[Lexico]

Solution 2:

"Aghast" would seem to express this feeling (OALD).

• The affixed ears of England were aghast at the news of the King's untimely death."