MOSCOW – The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for an attack at a popular concert venue complex near Moscow on Friday as assailants stormed the venue with guns and explosives, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145.
IS took responsibility for the attack in a short statement published by an IS-affiliated news agency ‘Amaq’ on Telegram on Friday. No evidence was provided however to support the claim.
Video footage from the Crocus City Hall shows the vast complex, which houses both the music hall and a shopping center, on fire with smoke billowing into the air.
State-run RIA Novosti reported the armed individuals “opened fire with automatic weapons” and “threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire.” They then “allegedly fled in a white Renault car,” the news agency said.
State media Russia 24 reported the roof on the venue had partially collapsed.
The fire had been brought largely under control more than six hours later. “There are still some pockets of fire, but the fire has been mostly eliminated,” Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov said on Telegram.
This marks the most lethal terrorist assault on Moscow in decades, occurring less than a week after President Vladimir Putin secured another term in office through a heavily orchestrated election, further solidifying his control over the country he has governed since the beginning of the century
With attention focused on the country’s war with neighboring Ukraine, Putin had trumpeted a message of national security before Russians went to the polls.
The carnage broke out before a concert by the band Picnic, according to Russia 24. The band’s manager told state media that the performers were unharmed.
“Unidentified people in camouflage broke into Crocus City Hall and started shooting before the start of the concert,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said, cited by TASS.
Gunmen can be seen in video footage charging towards the entrance of the hall and firing at individuals nearby.
Verified footage also shows the events from inside the concert hall when the attack started.
A SWAT team was called to the area and more than 70 ambulance teams and doctors assisted victims.
One hundred and forty-five people have been hospitalized, TASS reported. Sixty people are in a “serious condition.”
According to the Kremlin, Putin was informed about the attack and is being kept updated on measures on the ground.
An unverified picture of the suspects has been doing rounds on social media as well. There is no confirmation from the Russian government that it has issued this list.
The president on Saturday wished those injured in the attack a speedy recovery, the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency said. He also “conveyed his gratitude to the doctors,” RIA added.
Around 100 people were evacuated from the building by firefighters, TASS reported. Rescuers are still working to get people off the roof, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a “terrible tragedy.”
“My condolences to the loved ones of the victims. I gave orders to provide all necessary assistance to everyone who suffered during the incident,” Sobyanin said in a statement.
Sobyanin said on Telegram that he was canceling all sports, cultural and other public events in Moscow this weekend.
Shaman, the singer for Picnic, said he would pay for the funerals of the victims and treatment for those injured.
“We are all one big family. And in a family there is no such thing as somebody else’s grief,” the singer, known for his nationalistic views, said in a video posted on the Russian social media network Vkontakte to his more than 600,000 followers.
“My people, any troubles and misfortunes have always united our country. They have made Russia tougher and stronger. It will not be possible to frighten and break us this time either.”
US WARNING
Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning about a potential terror attack in Moscow and urged people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of surroundings.
“The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the March 7 security alert said.
Putin addressed the warnings a couple weeks later, criticizing the warning three days ago as “provocative.”
A US official said Friday that Washington had no reason to doubt ISIS’ claim that it was responsible for the latest attack.
