Islamic State attack near Moscow kills 142: Survivors recount horrors

142 people were killed in a terrorist attack near Moscow, claimed by the Islamic State. One of the journalists decided to show what the attack and its aftermath looked like from the perspective of witnesses who narrowly escaped death.

Russia has still not recovered from the terrorist attack that occurred on the evening of March 22 in Krasnogorsku near Moscow. Extremists from the Islamic State stormed the Crocus City Hall concert hall, where a concert by the band Piknik was scheduled. As a result, 142 people lost their lives.

In the media over the past few days, numerous videos and even more photos of the attack itself have emerged. But how did this tragedy appear from the perspective of witnesses who had to flee to survive?

An article published by Vot Tak — the Russian-language department of Belsat — whose correspondent was among the first media representatives at the scene, might offer some insights.

Witnesses say the terrorists acted quickly, aiming to kill as many as possible. They entered the complex through several entrances, shooting at close range to leave nothing to chance, and set the building aflame, aiming not only to increase casualties but also to destroy the structure completely.

- People in camouflage, with backpacks and automatic weapons, entered the building via several entrances. The specifics of the shooting are only clear from eyewitness accounts. At least one person fired in the foyer, two in the concert hall. People were shot at from very close. Then, the attackers set the hall on fire with Molotov cocktails and retreated.

In addition to Crocus City Hall, the target of the attack, the nearby Vegas shopping centre was evacuated, where a concert was also due to happen that same day. People attempted to escape in various ways. Unfortunately, some saw this tragedy as an opportunity for profit. Taxi fares instantly surged, although it's uncertain whether this was due to the drivers or the actions of the operators.

A tearful girl with a bloody nose tries to call her mother to pick her up. A man covered with a white disposable blanket walks through large puddles. Taxi fares in the first few minutes after the attack were as high as on New Year's Eve: the fare for a 20-minute journey from the Vegas shopping centre started at 1200 rubles (approximately £13). That's why even people in shock made their way to the Miakinino metro station - the station was operational, despite one of its exits leading directly to the concert hall.

The situation worsened by the minute. Molotov cocktails thrown triggered a fire on the roof of the concert hall. A few hours later, it collapsed, but the search for any survivors or bodies continued until the end. The spreading fire significantly impeded the rescue efforts.

Ambulances at the concert hall entrance were brimming with stretchers. From the cordoned-off area around the centre, new bodies were continually being brought out and placed at the ambulance doors. The more the fire spread, the slimmer the hope of finding survivors. Explosions and crackling sounds could be heard in the fire, unclear whether they were from explosive materials or structures collapsing under pressure.

Some tried to cope with the situation by talking about it in a slightly humorous way, yet even such statements clearly convey the horror sparked by the attack. One photographer, who was due to work at the doomed concert, vividly described his evacuation to the reporter.

- So much for the photo shoot. I was on stage. Then I heard: bam-bam. I see people running. I ran too because I thought I'd be shot like a dog. But I didn't see the fire, so I wasn't burned.