Nord-Ost in 2002, Beslan in 2004, Moscow metro in 2010… This macabre list of the bloodiest attacks and hostage-takings committed in Russia in the 21ste century has just added the name of Crocus City Hall, a Moscow performance hall stormed, Friday March 22 in the early evening, by terrorists determined to kill as many spectators as possible.
The latest report, released on Saturday morning by the Russian authorities, indicated at least 60 deaths, including several children. This figure could still increase, while at least 115 people are hospitalized in hospitals in the capital and ambulances and vans continue, at daybreak, to evacuate body bags from the scene of the attack.
According to a press release released in the evening by this organization, the attack was carried out by the Islamic State in Khorasan (EI-K) organization, a branch of IS based in Afghanistan, which has already threatened Russia in the past.
Messages of solidarity and condolences were sent by dozens of countries. Vladimir Putin, just reappointed as president, did not speak. He announced, through Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, that he ” wish[ait] everyone a speedy recovery and send[ait] his gratitude to the doctors.”
The testimonies and numerous videos published on social networks or by Russian media offer a fairly clear overview of the massacre committed at the Crocus City Hall, a huge exhibition center which houses, among other things, a 6,200-seat performance hall in the city. -satellite from Krasnogorsk, on the outskirts of Moscow. A concert by the group Piknik, veterans of the Russian rock scene, was to begin there at 8 p.m. local time.
The terrorists burst in a few minutes before the start of the event, while spectators were still queuing to enter the hall. They began shooting immediately as they got out of the car, onto the sidewalk, and then into the large entrance hall.
“They were shooting at everyone”
The images show at least four well-prepared men, in military clothing, methodically shooting down everyone they encounter with short bursts of automatic weapons. According to several sources, the security agents were only armed with batons and tasers. “We hid behind a billboardsaid one of them. They were shooting at everyone, including people on the ground. »
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