A terrifying incident unfolded at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall concert on Friday night, as armed terrorists entered the venue and began shooting at the audience. According to reports from the Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik, at least three individuals wearing camouflage and without masks stormed into the hall and started firing at people from close range.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and horror as the attackers shot at the crowd and even threw incendiary bombs. Despite the danger, some attendees managed to escape, guided by the security personnel to emergency exits, while others remained trapped inside the hall.
⚡️The terrorists who attacked Crocus City Hall burst into the concert hall and began shooting people point blank, reports a Sputnik correspondent from the scene who witnessed the incident.
According to him, between the second and third intermission bells, a few minutes before… pic.twitter.com/iWS1iG1ExA
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 22, 2024
The attack resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 143 people killed and several hundred others injured, making it the deadliest attack in Russia in two decades. Russian investigators swiftly responded, announcing the arrest of 11 individuals, including four suspected gunmen believed to be involved in the shooting rampage.
In the wake of the attack, security measures across Moscow have been significantly heightened, with increased surveillance at airports, transport hubs, and throughout the capital. Additionally, all large-scale public events across the country have been canceled in an effort to ensure public safety.
Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments inside the concert hall, with one individual describing the sound of automatic gunfire just moments before a scheduled performance by the band Piknik. Panic ensued as attendees attempted to flee the venue, with reports of a stampede breaking out amidst the chaos.
While the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, there were also suggestions of a potential Ukrainian link. However, Ukrainian officials vehemently denied any involvement, labeling the accusations from Russian authorities as baseless and absurd.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack as a “barbaric terrorist act” and declared a national day of mourning on March 24 in honor of the victims. In a televised address to the nation, Putin expressed condolences to the families of those affected by the tragedy and pledged to take decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the Russian people in the face of such threats.
Comments