According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), a group of armed men opened fire on a concert hall in a Moscow suburb on Friday night, killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 100.
A video published online and obtained by MandyNews.com shows at least two masked guys entering Crocus City Hall, one of whom repeatedly fired bullets from what seemed to be an assault rifle. Another horrific video showed four individuals, at least three of whom were armed, chasing a group of civilians and firing at them point blank.
Another video obtained by MandyNews.com and broadcast by the state-run TASS news agency shows a massive fire near Crocus City Hall, which is around 16 kilometers northwest of Moscow’s center.
Following the first media reports of the shooting, Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov stated that he had arrived at the scene and was leading the response efforts.
According to information gathered by mandynews.com More than 70 ambulances were in operation near Crocus City Hall, and medics were assisting those injured, according to Vorobyov.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, stated that President Vladimir Putin was informed of the incident “within the first few minutes” and was receiving frequent updates on the situation.
Spetznaz and riot police units were dispatched in reaction to the incident, according to the TASS news agency, and a video later released by news sources showed law enforcement agents surrounding the performance hall.
According to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev has also arrived on the scene.
A video shared by the independent news outlet Sotavision showed riot police shouting and aiming their weapons at journalists and camera crews outside the concert hall, pushing them away physically.
According to a journalist at Crocus City Hall during the attack, there was an explosion, possibly from a grenade or incendiary bomb, after the shooting began, causing a fire.
“People inside the hall lay on the floor to avoid the gunfire, remaining there for 15 to 20 minutes before starting to crawl out. Many were able to escape,” the unnamed journalist said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.
Emergency services were evacuating individuals from Crocus City Hall.
“Approximately 100 individuals have been rescued from the basement by firefighters. Efforts are underway to rescue people from the roof of the building using lifting equipment,” stated the Moscow region’s branch of the Emergency Situations Ministry on Telegram.
It’s estimated that up to 6,200 people may have been inside the concert hall at the time of the attack, based on the venue’s seating plan.
The members of Piknik, the band performing at Crocus City Hall that evening, were unharmed, according to the concert’s director.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, responsible for investigating major crimes, initiated a terrorism investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced directives to provide assistance to those affected by the shooting, calling it a “terrible tragedy” and extending condolences to the victims’ families. He later announced the cancellation of all public events in the Russian capital for the weekend.
Likewise, the White House expressed condolences to the victims of the shooting, expressing a desire for more information.
“Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack,” stated National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, acknowledging the distressing nature of the images.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry’s main intelligence directorate accused Russian secret services of orchestrating the deadly attack on Friday night.
“The terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on [Vladimir] Putin’s orders,” the ministry stated, alleging that the goal was to “further escalate and expand the war” with Ukraine.
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Source: MandyNews.com
