Shooting, explosions leave over 60 dead in Moscow
March 22, 2024
A group of gunmen, dressed in camouflage uniforms, opened fire and hurled grenades at people attending a concert in Moscow's suburbs, leaving more than 60 of them dead and over 145 others wounded on Friday.
Accepting the responsibility for the attack, Daesh said on its Telegram account, "Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely."
In the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege — wherein the militants had taken more than 1,000 people hostage — gunmen sprayed civilians with bullets just before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was to perform to a full house at the 6,200-seat the Crocus City Hall just west of Moscow, reported Reuters.
The attack comes amid country's ongoing war against Ukraine which has entered its third year.
Authorities reported that over 50 ambulances have been sent to the scene of Crocus City Hall to provide assistance to the victims.
"Unknown shooters opened fire in the Crocus City Hall," TASS news agency also reported citing an emergency agencies' representative.
The assailants threw explosives that triggered a massive fire at the hall that has a capacity of 6,200 people, according to reports by local media.
It reported that the shooters used automatic weapons.
The Moscow Department of Transport, the Myakinino metro station near Crocus City Hall is operating as normal for passengers entering and exiting, RIA reported, adding that all forces and resources were sent to the scene of the incident.
"An operational headquarters has been created. Information about the victims and other details are being clarified," Russian media stated.
"People in camouflage, at least three, burst into the ground floor of Crocus City Hall and opened fire from automatic weapons. There are definitely wounded."
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin was being updated by security chiefs about the situation, including from Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Kremlin said.
More to follow...
