Deadly attack at Moscow concert venue leaves over 60 dead
Over 60 people were killed, and 115 were injured in a shooting at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of Moscow. According to Mash and Baza channels, the perpetrators fired dozens of shots from automatic weapons. The entire building has already caught fire and is starting to collapse.
On Friday, before a Piknik band concert at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of Moscow, armed men burst into the building. An explosion occurred inside, igniting a fire.
The shooting began in the queue to enter the building and inside the concert hall, witnesses of the attack in Krasnogorsk near Moscow report. According to them, the attackers were armed with automatic rifles, flamethrowers, and various ammunition - reports the Ważnyje Istorii portal.
Children are among the injured, Ksenia Miszonova, the children's rights ombudsman in the Moscow region, reported. On Friday, the building was hosting children's dance competitions, as reported by the independent television Dożd.
Rapid response units and the National Guard are on site. The fire was said to have cut off the escape route for dozens of people. Security measures have been strengthened at the capital's Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports. The Mayor of Moscow announced that he had cancelled all mass events that were to take place this weekend.
In a recording published by Mash, the first seconds after the attack can be seen. Screams are heard, people are running out of the half-filled hall.
In a recording published by the Astra channel, dozens of shots can be heard.
A fire broke out in the building, and the roof began to collapse. People may still be trapped inside. About 100 people managed to escape from the basement.
The governor of the Moscow region reported that an operational headquarters had been established on-site.
An explosion occurred in the building right after the shooting.
Russian independent media note that two weeks ago, the US embassy in Russia warned of attack plans by "extremists" in Moscow, including at concerts. Vladimir Putin responded that it seemed like "blackmail and an attempt to intimidate and destabilize" Russian society.
Who is responsible for the attack in Russia?
Late in the evening, the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
The so-called Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the Friday attack on the concert hall near Moscow, reported by Reuters, citing a channel on Telegram of the terrorist organization. However, no information was provided that would substantiate these claims.
There are reports that the statement "used a template that ISIS no longer uses."
