Foreign
93 killed and 187 others injured as gunmen attack concert hall in Russia
No fewer than 93 people including children have been killed and and 187 others injured as gunmen suspected to be terrorists attack the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia.
The camouflage-clad gunmen at least five with automatic weapons on Friday night, March 22, 2024, burst into the packed concert hall in the Russian capital’s western suburbs as the audience was gathering to watch the veteran rock band Picnic, shooting into the crowd and setting off explosives that started a massive fire.
Several Russian media outlets stated that automatic weapons were used in what many have termed ‘one of the worst of attacks in Russia in years’.
At least 93 people have been confirmed killed, Russia’s Investigative Committee said on Saturday, adding that the number of victims was expected to rise further.
It was also gathered that at least 187 people including eight children were injured.
ISIL, the hardline group that once sought control over Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel, saying the gunmen had escaped. It was not possible to independently verify the claim.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee said it was too early to say anything about the fate of the attackers, state news agency RIA reported.
The concert hall, one of the most popular in Moscow, can hold some 6,200 people.
Alexei, a music producer, was about to settle into his seat ahead when he said he heard “several machineguns bursts” and “a lot of screams”.
“I realised right away that it was automatic gunfire and understood that most likely it’s the worst: a terrorist attack,” Alexei told the AFP news agency, declining to share his full name.
As people ran towards the emergency exits, “there was a terrible crush” with concertgoers climbing on one another’s heads to get out, he added.
Another witness, speaking to the Reuters news agency, also described the terror and panic inside the venue.
“A stampede began. Everyone ran to the escalator,” they said, declining to share their name. “Everyone was screaming; everyone was running.”
The attack comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin told the board of the Federal Security Service that “Western structures” had been engaging in “outright blackmail” when they warned Moscow of potential terrorist attacks.
He has repeatedly warned foreign powers were seeking to sow chaos inside Russia.
Follow us on social media:
Drama as men publicly humiliate crossdresser, forces him to remove his clothes while at salon
Missing UniAbuja female student burnt to death in auto crash âxx Family (Photos)
“Chioma truly deserves better” – Another video shows Davido shirtless in bed with another woman (Watch)
JUST IN: NLC rejects Tinubu’s 35% salary increase, demands N615,000 living wage
Man shares father’s reaction on seeing himself on front camera for the first time (Watch)
“Lizard Don Mad Again” – Peruzzi reacts after Wizkid mocks Davido with his viral video
Hours after referring to Don Jazzy as influencer, netizens dig out old posts of Wizkid referring to Don Jazzy as his boss, revealing how he helped him (Video)
DonJazzy reacts after Wizkid shaded him and called him an influencer
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist2 days ago“Nobody knows your gbedu again” – Davido claps back at Wizkid after mocking him, flaunts new video of Chioma ahead of her birthday (Watch)
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist1 day ago“Funny how the whole industry is scared of a 4ft nigga” – Davido roasts Wizkid in new post, dares him to drop hit song
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist1 day ago“My confidant, the best I ever had” – Davido celebrates wife 29th birthday amidst beef with Wizkid (Video)
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist2 days ago“You’re foolish, bastard” – Kizz Daniel blasts Tekno following his mockery reply to the alleged N1b royalties from hit song Buga