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Moscow: 60 Dead, 145 Injured As Gunmen Unleash Terror At Crocus Concert Hall

More than 60 people died, and 145 were injured after gunmen opened fire on a concert hall near Russia’s Moscow on Friday night.

According to Russian news, the attackers threw bombs, causing a massive fire at Crocus City Hall in the western part of Moscow. Videos on social media showed thick clouds of black smoke coming from the building.

Multiple assailants stormed the concert hall, firing at attendees and igniting a significant fire. Russian media reported that the roof of the hall collapsed.

The attack, under investigation by authorities as an act of terrorism, marks the deadliest assault in Russia in recent memory.

According to reports, the Islamic State terror group has taken responsibility for the attack.

President Vladimir Putin, who secured a new six-year term on March 17, was briefed about the attack by his aides. The Kremlin stated that Putin was updated on the prevailing situation.

The attack occurred during a concert by Picnic, a renowned Russian rock band. The concert hall, which can hold over 6,000 people, was packed at the time.

Although many attendees were evacuated from the concert hall, reports indicated that an unknown number of individuals remained trapped due to the fire. A video captured scenes of panic, with people frantically seeking shelter in the auditorium amidst gunfire heard in the background.

Approximately 70 ambulances were swiftly dispatched to the location, and riot police units were present as the evacuation of people was underway.

Special forces arrived at the building to neutralize the terrorists, who were suspected of barricading themselves inside.

According to AFP reports, the Islamic State later claimed that the terrorists had “withdrawn to their bases unharmed.”

Extended gunfire could be heard in numerous videos circulated on Russian social media platforms. One video depicted two armed individuals moving through the concert hall. At the same time, another showed a person inside the auditorium reporting on the terrorists setting fire to the place, with gunshots audible in the background.

In Ukraine, which faced a Russian invasion in February 2022, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak refuted Kyiv’s involvement in the assault.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova characterized it as a “violent terrorist attack” and urged the global community to condemn the assault.

In response to the incident, Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated that the United States had previously cautioned Russia about the potential attack in Moscow.

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