At least 60 people died and over 100 others, including children, were injured after unknown armed attackers stormed into a popular concert venue complex close to the Russian capital city of Moscow and opened fire with automatic rifles on visitors on Friday (March 22, 2024).
This was one of the deadliest attacks in Russia in decades.
The Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to reports, the group took responsibility for the incident by publishing a short statement on ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram.
Video footage circulating on social media showed the vast complex of the concert hall was on fire following the incident.
Law enforcement officials rushed to the spot after the terror incident unfolded.
The attack occurred ahead of a performance by the Soviet-era rock group “Picnic” at the Crocus City Hall.
The director of the show told Sputnik news agency none of the band members were injured in the incident.
115 people hospitalised
A total of 115 people, including five children, have been hospitalised following the attack, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said.
“As of now, 115 people have been injured in the terrorist attack, we have hospitalised them, five of them are children, one child is in serious condition, of 110 adults, 60 patients are in serious condition,” Murashko said on the Rossiya 24 TV channel as quoted by Sputnik.
According to reports, about a hundred people were evacuated from the basement of the structure.
US shared information
A White House National Security Council spokesperson claimed in a statement to Sputnik that the United States recently shared information with Russian authorities regarding a planned terrorist attack against Russia in accordance with its so-called duty to warn policy.
World condemns
Several countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the incident.
The US Embassy in Moscow said in a statement: “The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is horrified by reports coming from the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow.”
“We offer our sincere condolences to the Russian people for the lives lost and to those injured in tonight’s attack,” it said.
The Embassy asked its citizens to avoid the area.
“As events continue to unfold, we urge U.S. citizens in Moscow to avoid the area, follow instructions of local security personnel, and monitor Edit the translation in Русский local media for updates,” the Embassy said.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “Regarding a shooting incident occurred at a commercial facility in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation, on March 22 (local time), which resulted in a large number of casualties, Japan firmly condemns such an attack against civilians.”
Indian PM Narendra Modi posted on X: “We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on X: “I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people of the Russian Federation following the heinous terrorist attack that took place near Moscow this evening. We pray for the families of the victims!”
US Republican Senator Mitt Romney wrote on X: “The intentional targeting and murder of civilians is vile and evil regardless of the perpetrators—Putin against Ukrainians and terrorists against the Russians. Today’s massacre in Moscow is tragic.”
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni wrote: “The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable. Firm and total condemnation of the Italian Government for this heinous act of terrorism. I express my full solidarity with those affected and the families of the victims.”
