- Several gunmen opened fire in a concert hall near Moscow on Friday evening.
- The Russian domestic secret service FSB speaks of more than 60 dead and over 145 injured.
- The terrorist organization Islamic State claimed responsibility for the crime in a message on Telegram.
The Russian Prosecutor General confirmed reports that unknown people wearing camouflage clothing had broken into the Crocus City Hall. According to SRF foreign editor Philipp Scholkmann, they shot randomly into the hall shortly before the start of a concert. The victims are said to be both employees and visitors to the “Crocus City Hall” in the city of Krasnogorsk, northwest of Moscow. The Ministry of Health in the Moscow Region speaks of over 150 injured and more than 60 dead – including three children.
There is also talk of explosions, says Scholkmann. The roof of the extensive building complex caught fire – the flames burned throughout the night. Parts of the roof have now collapsed. At least some of the unknown perpetrators are apparently still on the run. How many in total is not known.
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed about the events “from the first minute”. He also wishes the injured a speedy recovery, said Tass, citing Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.
Government announces aid
Russia’s Central Investigative Committee has opened a case into an alleged terrorist act. Interfax quotes the service as saying that “all necessary measures” will be taken.
The head of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, has threatened the masterminds with retaliation. “Those behind this terrible crime will receive the deserved and inevitable punishment,” she wrote on her Telegram channel. At the same time, she announced, the state would do everything it could to help those left behind.
Security precautions increased
In a statement, the Moscow mayor’s office spoke of a huge tragedy and expressed its condolences to the victims. It canceled all major weekend events. According to the Tass news agency, security measures have been strengthened at the capital’s airports and train stations.
The Russian investigators reacted cautiously. They released a video on Saturday morning showing weapons and ammunition that were said to have been recovered at the scene. They are looking for the perpetrators, but they haven’t announced anything else.
IS claims responsibility for the attack
The terrorist organization Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on the Telegram news service. While the Russian authorities have not yet commented on the matter, terror expert Peter Neumann from King’s College in London believes the letter of responsibility is genuine. The White House is also said to have intelligence information that confirms IS claims.
According to Scholkmann, it is striking that the US authorities recently warned of the scenario of such a terrorist attack in Russia. Various Western countries then warned their citizens to avoid major events in Moscow. However, it is unclear to what extent there is a connection.
The idea that Ukraine could have anything to do with the attack was rejected in a statement from the Ukrainian capital Kiev that evening.
