Gunmen opened fire in a concert hall near Moscow. According to the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, at least 40 people died. More than 100 were injured. The venue is evacuated.
There was an attack on a music event near the Russian capital Moscow. At least three people in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons around 8 p.m. local time, several media reports.
According to the Russian domestic secret service FSB, at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. The incident occurred at the Crocus City Hall during a concert by the Russian band “Piknik” from Saint Petersburg. The hall offers seats for thousands of spectators.
Fire apparently under control
Security authorities also confirmed that there was at least one explosion. A fire then broke out. According to the RIA news agency, the upper floors of the building have already been destroyed by the fire. The TASS agency reported that the fire spread to about a third of the building and to almost the entire roof. The fire department is now said to have the fire under control.
Police, National Guard, OMON special troops from the Interior Ministry and rescue workers are on site. An evacuation operation began to bring the visitors to safety. According to TASS, there are still people in the building.
There is no information about the identity of the attackers or whether they are still in the building. The highest Russian investigative agency is examining a terrorist background. A corresponding investigation has been initiated.
“Bloody terroristic Attack”
The Russian Foreign Ministry called the attack a “bloody terrorist attack.” “The entire global community must condemn this despicable crime,” wrote ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Telegram online service.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin spoke of a great tragedy. He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families. Sobyanin added that all sporting, cultural and other events in Moscow had been canceled for the weekend.
Reactions from abroad
The Foreign Office in Berlin condoled the victims’ families and spoke of a “terrible attack on innocent people.” The background needs to be clarified quickly, according to a message on the short message service X.
The European Union also reacted with dismay to the attack near Moscow. The EU is shocked and horrified at the reports of a terrorist attack, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on the X platform. “The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all affected Russian citizens.”
The USA sees no evidence of Ukraine’s involvement
In Washington, National Security Council representative John Kirby spoke of “terrible images” from Moscow that were difficult to bear. It is still too early to talk about all the details of what happened. But there is no evidence that Ukraine is involved, said Kirby. The USA’s thoughts are with the victims of the terrible armed attack.
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Ukraine had nothing to do with the shootings in Moscow. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andrii Yusov told the newspaper Ukrainska Pravda that the act was a deliberate provocation by Russian special forces. Russian President Putin is committing crimes against his own people.
Western embassies had recently warned of terrorist attacks in Moscow. The Kremlin described this as a provocation by the West.
Frank Aischmann, ARD Moscow, tagesschau, March 22, 2024 7:40 p.m