Moscow, Russia – A tragic incident unfolded on Friday when a group of gunmen in camouflage attire stormed the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow, resulting in the death of at least 40 people and leaving over 100 wounded. The gunmen reportedly used automatic weapons during the attack on the popular concert hall.
The Federal Security Service of Russia confirmed the death toll, as the perpetrators unleashed their violence on attendees of a concert at the Crocus City Hall. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the heinous act on their Telegram channel. Reports indicated that there were multiple explosions during the attack, causing a massive blaze that led to the collapse of the concert hall’s roof.
Videos circulating online showed flames engulfing the venue, with plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. The concert was for the renowned Russian rock band, Picnic, and was expected to draw a large crowd at the hall with a capacity of over 6,000 people. Despite evacuation efforts, reports suggested that a number of individuals were trapped inside the burning building.
In response to the tragedy, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and announced the cancellation of mass gatherings for the weekend. Security measures at airports and train stations in Moscow were intensified, while a search operation was launched by the Russian National Guard to locate the attackers.
Video footage shared on social media depicted the harrowing scene of armed men firing at civilians who were seeking refuge, as well as individuals lying injured outside the hall. White House National Security Advisor John Kirby described the images as distressing and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
Prior to the attack, the US embassy in Russia had issued a warning about potential extremist threats in Moscow, advising caution in crowded places and at events. The incident comes shortly after the foiling of an attempted attack on a synagogue in Moscow by a militant cell associated with the Islamic State. It remains unclear if these incidents are connected.