Smoke rises above the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, outside Moscow, Russia, March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Multiple gunmen dressed in camouflage attire opened fire using automatic weapons at individuals within the Crocus City Hall music venue located near Moscow, resulting in casualties and injuries. The exact number of casualties remains undisclosed. Video recordings from the scene depicted the intensity of the assault, with flames engulfing the venue and black smoke billowing into the air.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin addressed the incident, describing it as a “terrible tragedy” that occurred within the confines of the Crocus City shopping center. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that all necessary aid would be extended to the injured parties. Emergency response teams, including police and medical personnel, promptly arrived at the site to manage the situation.
Footage circulating on social media platforms depicted distressing scenes of civilians being targeted by armed individuals, leading to chaotic scenes of panic and injury. While these videos remain unverified, they suggest a grave situation unfolding within the concert hall premises.
Additionally, the U.S. embassy in Russia had previously issued a warning regarding potential extremist activities in Moscow, underscoring concerns about security threats in the region. This advisory followed the announcement by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) regarding the thwarting of an attempted attack on a synagogue in Moscow attributed to a cell associated with the militant Sunni Muslim group Islamic State.
The investigation into the Crocus City Hall incident is ongoing, with authorities working to ascertain the identities of the perpetrators and the motives behind the attack.
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