Gunmen in combat fatigues opened fire and detonated explosives at a large concert hall in Moscow, killing at least a dozen people and detonating explosives in Russia's worst terrorist attack in years, according to unofficial reports. Many were injured.
Photos show Crocus City Music Hall engulfed in flames, while footage of concert hall attack released shows at least four gunmen firing automatic weapons as panicked Russians run for their lives There was footage of the gun being fired.
One video shows three men in military uniforms carrying rifles firing at close range at bodies strewn across the lobby of a concert hall. The attackers appear to have detonated explosives, as explosions can be heard in other videos from the attack.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack “a great tragedy.” At least 50 ambulances were called to the scene of the attack.
“The attackers probably used automatic weapons to fire at the entrance to the building during the concert, after which a fire started inside the building,” emergency services said. Authorities said up to five people took part in the attack.
According to Russian media reports, riot police were dispatched to the area as people evacuated.
The concert hall shooting was reminiscent of Europe's worst terrorist attacks, such as the November 2015 Bataclan attack in Paris. Russians will probably remember the Nord Ostero incident in 2002, when gunmen took hostages at a Moscow theater. One of the worst incidents in the history of this country.
Russian news agency 112, which specializes in crime reporting, reported that 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured. Emergency workers said they had evacuated 100 people who had taken shelter in the building's basement, but it was unclear whether police had succeeded in neutralizing the attackers by Friday night.
An eyewitness told the Mash Telegram channel that there were “at least five” assailants and that they “had beards.”
“They act like trained and disciplined combatants,” the report said. “The moment they entered the building, the guards and the people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the front entrance.”
“The terrorists are armed with AKM assault rifles,” the official said. “Some carry loads with various ammunition. At least two of the attackers are carrying backpacks, possibly containing petrol bombs.
Russian authorities have recently carried out a series of raids against armed Islamic extremists in the Ingushetia region, leading to fierce gun battles between police and fighters.
Earlier this month, Western countries led by the United States issued multiple warnings to their citizens not to attend public gatherings in Russia. On March 8, the embassy said it was “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including a concert. People should be advised to avoid large gatherings.”
The warning came shortly after Russia announced it had thwarted a shooting plot by an Islamic State-linked group in Afghanistan.
It is unclear whether this is the attack mentioned in the warning.
.
More details coming soon…