Gunmen attack Moscow concert, leaving over 40 dead
A horrific attack unfolded at a rock concert in a Moscow suburb, where gunmen opened fire, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 people and injuring over 100 others, while also igniting a devastating fire within the theatre.
Amidst the chaos, attackers clad in camouflage uniforms stormed the Crocus City concert hall in the Krasnogorsk suburb, unleashing a barrage of gunfire and reportedly deploying grenades or incendiary devices, as witnessed by a journalist from the RIA Novosti news agency present at the scene.
The inferno quickly engulfed the expansive concert venue, known for hosting renowned international artists, leading to widespread panic among attendees attempting to flee or seek shelter from the violence.
Preliminary reports from the FSB security service, as cited by Interfax news agency, indicated the attack was deemed a “terrorist” act, prompting a swift response from authorities who launched an investigation into the atrocity.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received continuous updates on the situation as the nation grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy, as conveyed by his spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Telegram news channels Baza and Mash provided harrowing visuals of the blaze and smoke billowing from the concert hall, capturing the sheer horror of the scene.
The assault, described by Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin as a “terrible tragedy,” prompted the cancellation of all public events in the city for the ensuing weekend.
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Security forces, citing Interfax news agency, reported that between two and five assailants, outfitted in tactical gear and armed with automatic weapons, initiated the attack by targeting guards at the entrance before indiscriminately firing upon the audience.
As concert-goers sought refuge on the ground for nearly 20 minutes, some managed to escape through the theatre’s basement, while others sought safety on the roof, as reported by the emergency services ministry on its Telegram channel.
While the investigation into the perpetrators continues, expressions of solidarity and condemnation poured in from both domestic and international spheres, with calls for justice and swift action against those responsible for the heinous act.
