Moscow gun attack leaves more than 60 dead
Gunmen who opened fire at a Moscow concert hall killed more than 60 people and wounded over 100 while sparking an inferno, authorities said, with Daesh claiming responsibility.
Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building on Friday, opened fire, and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene.
The fire quickly spread through the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow’s northern Krasnogorsk suburb, as smoke filled the building and screaming visitors rushed to emergency exits.
Alexei, a music producer, was about to settle into his seat before the start of a concert by Soviet-era rock band Piknik when he heard gunfire and “a lot of screams.”
“I realized right away that it was automatic gunfire and understood that most likely it’s the worst: a terrorist attack,” said Alexei, who would not give his last name.
Concert-goers rushed towards emergency exits causing a crush, with some climbing on top of others to escape.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said that more than 60 people had been killed, raising an earlier toll of 40, according to Russian news agencies.
Russia’s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said 115 people were hospitalized, including five children, one of whom was in grave condition. Of the 110 adult patients, 60 were in serious condition.
Authorities said a “terrorist” investigation had been started and President Vladimir Putin was receiving “constant” updates, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.
Russia’s National Guard said it was on the scene and looking for the perpetrators.
An AFP reporter saw police officers with sniffer dogs inspecting vehicles parked next to the building.
The Islamic State group said its fighters attacked “a large gathering” on Moscow’s outskirts and “retreated to their bases safely.”
Telegram news channels Baza and Mash, close to security forces, showed video images of flames and black smoke pouring from the hall.
Other images also showed concert-goers hiding behind seats or trying to escape.