Moscow Concert Hall Attack Leaves At Least 40 Dead & 100 Wounded; Russian Authorities Investigating As Terrorism
22.03.2024 - 21:01
/ deadline.com
Refresh for updates…At least 40 people are dead and 100 others wounded after multiple gunmen attacked a concert hall in Moscow today, Russia‘s Federal Security Service reports. The Associated Press said authorities are investigating the incident as terrorism — the country’s worst in several years.
Photos and video from the scene show at Crocus City Hall engulfed in flames, and local officials said the roof was in danger of collapsing. They also said more than 100 people had been evacuated from the he 6,000-capacity venue, which was hosting a concert by the popular Russian rock band Piknik. News agency Tass said the band members were not injured.
The attack comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin solidified his grip on power in what detractors said was a choreographed election.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault in Krasnogorsk, a suburb on the northwestern outskirts of Moscow, which was carried out by several people who spayed the hall with gunfire and threw explosives, which set it ablaze, Russian officials said.
White House Spokesman John Kirby said that “the images are just horrible and just hard to watch. Our thoughts, obviously, are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack.”
He added that there was “no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in this shooting.”
On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow put out an advisory to that it was “is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours.” Today it advised U.S. citizens “to avoid the area [of the terrorist attack] and follow