After the suspected terrorist attack on an event hall in the Moscow region, the Russian domestic secret service speaks of 40 dead. According to initial findings, more than 100 people were injured in the Crocus City Hall, the authority was quoted by the Interfax agency in the evening.
According to authorities, additional explosions were reported following shots fired and a fire. Russia’s Central Investigative Committee says it has opened an investigation into a suspected act of terrorism.
According to media reports, the victims were both employees and visitors to the concert hall. Blazing flames and a huge cloud of smoke could be seen on the building. There are thousands of seats in the auditoriums.
Unidentified men wearing camouflage clothing stormed the Crocus City Hall shortly before the start of a concert in the city of Krasnogorsk, northwest of Moscow, and opened fire, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said. The background to the incident remains unclear.
Mayor cancels all major events
There are photos circulating on social networks of the building, a third of which is now said to be in flames and the roof of which is said to have collapsed. According to reports, around 100 people were now trapped in the burning house. According to authorities, dozens of ambulances and many buses are in use to bring people to safety.
Western embassies recently warned of terrorist attacks in Moscow. The Kremlin described this as a provocation by the West.
All mass events in Moscow have been canceled, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced. All sports, cultural and other events have been canceled for the weekend, the mayor writes in his Telegram channel. He asked for your understanding of the measure.