On Friday night, attackers opened fire on a performance hall in Russia’s capital Moscow, killing at least 60 people and injuring another 145. According to worldwide media accounts, Piknic’s concert in Moscow began with automatic shooting. To avoid the gunfire, hundreds of people huddled beneath seats in the hall or hurried to the basement or roof openings. The Islamic State has taken credit for the deadly attack. In a brief statement posted on Telegram by ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq, the terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack.
Moscow concert attack:
On Friday, multiple shooters opened fire on a gathering near Moscow’s Crocus City Hall. The assailants, clothed in camouflage, entered the premises, fired fire, and tossed grenades or incendiary bombs.
According to the TASS news agency, SOBR special police units and the OMON anti-riot team were dispatched to the Crocus Hall. Following the incident, some 100 people were evacuated, including members of the rock band Picnic, from the basement of a Moscow performance hall building.
The Russian foreign ministry posted on Telegram that “this heinous crime must be condemned by the entire world community!”
Although the incident was deemed “terrible” by the US administration, there was no apparent evidence linking it to the conflict in Ukraine. Two weeks before to the incident, the US embassy warned that “extremists” would target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts.
A representative for the EU stated that the group “is shocked and appalled by the reports of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow.”
Narendra Modi condemn:
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned it, “We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief.”
