The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a popular concert venue near Moscow, claiming at least 60 lives and resulting in 145 hospitalizations.
The message was communicated by the ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq via Telegram, without offering proof for the claim, according to Reuters.
The venue, Crocus City Hall, part of a larger complex that includes a shopping center, was engulfed in flames following the attack. Armed individuals initiated the chaos by firing automatic weapons and employing a grenade or incendiary bomb, triggering a fire, according to state-run RIA Novosti.
The culprits reportedly escaped in a white Renault car. Furthermore, part of the venue’s roof collapsed, as covered by state media Russia 24, which also noted the attack occurred shortly before the band Picnic was scheduled to perform. The band’s manager assured that the performers were safe.
The Russia Prosecutor General’s Office provided details on the intrusion, stating, “Unidentified people in camouflage broke into Crocus City Hall and started shooting before the start of the concert.” Panic ensued as attendees sought refuge, with some breaking windows to escape the gunfire, as captured in video footage.
TASS reported that 145 individuals are receiving medical treatment, with 60 in serious condition. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the situation and expressed his wishes for a swift recovery to those injured, extending gratitude to the medical personnel involved. Moscow City Duma Chairman Alexey Shaposhnikov has urged residents to donate blood, highlighting the critical need for dozens of victims.
Approximately 100 individuals were evacuated by firefighters, with ongoing efforts to rescue people from the roof. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin termed the event a “terrible tragedy,” extending condolences and ensuring support for the victims. All public events in Moscow have been suspended for the weekend.
The lead singer of Picnic, the band set to perform, has pledged to cover the funeral and medical expenses for the victims, emphasizing unity and resilience in the face of adversity. “We are all one big family. And in a family there is no such thing as somebody else’s grief,” he stated.
