A devastating tragedy struck Moscow, Russia on Friday night as a group of armed men opened fire at a concert hall in a suburb. The horrific attack resulted in the deaths of at least 60 individuals, with 145 others sustaining injuries. This incident ranks as one of the deadliest attacks in Russia in recent history.
Chilling videos circulated online showing masked men entering the Crocus City Hall and firing shots with assault rifles. Another disturbing video depicted four men, three armed, chasing and shooting at a group of people at close range. The chaos escalated when a grenade or incendiary bomb was thrown, causing a fire to break out in the hall.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack later that evening, further adding to the sense of tragedy and shock. Among the victims were three children, as confirmed by the Moscow region branch of Russia’s Health Ministry.
In response to the violence, Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov arrived at the scene to oversee the emergency response efforts. Spetznaz and riot police units were dispatched, with law enforcement agents encircling the concert hall as firefighters battled the flames.
An unnamed state media reporter described the harrowing scene inside the hall, where people lay on the floor to evade the gunfire for an extended period before crawling to safety. Meanwhile, around 100 individuals managed to escape through the theater’s basement, while others sought refuge on the roof.
Russia’s Investigative Committee announced a criminal terrorism case into the incident, denouncing the horrific act as a bloody terrorist attack. The international community, including the United Nations, European Union, and several countries, condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
As the investigation unfolds, the world waits for answers and justice in the wake of this senseless tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all those affected by this horrific event.