Gunmen Attack Moscow Concert Hall Resulting in Dozens Dead and Many Wounded

Gunmen stormed a major concert hall in Moscow, resulting in a tragic attack that left scores dead and many injured, according to reports from the Federal Security Service (FSB) as cited by Russia‘s state news agency TASS.

Russian authorities noted that the assailants used firearms and explosives, leading to a large blaze at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow’s western edge on Friday.

The concert hall, known for hosting international artists and events, was hosting a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic when the attackers struck.

Reports from the scene indicated that the gunmen, numbering between three to five individuals in military attire, fired into the concert crowd, causing chaos and tragedy.

The violence escalated as the gunmen engaged in automatic fire and reportedly deployed explosives, sparking a swift and destructive blaze that engulfed the premises.

Emergency services mobilized quickly, with Russian rescue teams working to evacuate about 100 individuals from the basement of the venue, as media sources reported.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Health confirmed that several injured individuals had already been transported to medical facilities for urgent treatment.

President Vladimir Putin, through his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, is closely monitoring the situation, receiving regular updates on the developing crisis.

Following the incident, Russia’s ombudsman Moskalkova labeled the attack as an act of terrorism, prompting a swift reaction from Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who cancelled all public events scheduled for the weekend.

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that there is currently no evidence linking Ukraine to the tragic events at Crocus City, as multiple parties sought to clarify and distance themselves from any connections to the attack.

Notably, Al Jazeera‘s correspondent in Moscow, Yulia Shapovalova, highlighted the context surrounding the attack and the heightened tensions in the region prior to the assault.