Friday, February 7, 2025

Gun assault at Moscow live performance leaves greater than 60 lifeless – Bd24live


Gunmen who opened fireplace at a Moscow live performance corridor killed greater than 60 folks and wounded over 100 whereas sparking an inferno, authorities stated Saturday, with the Islamic State group claiming accountability.

Attackers wearing camouflage uniforms entered the constructing on Friday, opened fireplace and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, in accordance with a journalist for the RIA Novosti information company on the scene.

Hearth shortly unfold by the Crocus Metropolis live performance corridor in Moscow’s northern Krasnogorsk suburb, as smoke crammed the constructing and screaming guests rushed to emergency exits.

Alexei, a music producer, was about to settle into his seat earlier than the beginning of a rock live performance when he heard gunfire and “lots of screams”.

“I realised immediately that it was automated gunfire and understood that probably it’s the worst: a terrorist assault,” stated Alexei, who wouldn’t give his final title.

As folks ran in the direction of emergency exits, “there was a horrible crush” with concert-goers climbing on each other’s heads to get out, he added.

Russia’s Investigative Committee stated Saturday that greater than 60 folks had been killed, elevating an earlier toll of 40, in accordance with Russian information businesses.

Russia’s Well being Minister Mikhail Murashko stated 115 folks have been hospitalised, together with 5 youngsters, certainly one of whom was in grave situation. Of the 110 grownup sufferers, 60 have been in critical situation.

Authorities stated a “terrorist” investigation had been began and President Vladimir Putin was receiving “fixed” updates, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed Russian information businesses.

Russia’s nationwide guard stated it was on the scene and in search of the perpetrators. An AFP reporter noticed cops with sniffer canines inspecting autos parked subsequent to the constructing.

The Islamic State group stated its fighters attacked “a big gathering” on Moscow’s outskirts and “retreated to their bases safely”.

– Hearth contained –

Telegram information channels Baza and Mash, that are near safety forces, confirmed video photos of flames and black smoke pouring from the corridor.

Different photos additionally confirmed concert-goers hiding behind seats or making an attempt to flee.

Safety providers quoted by Interfax stated between two and 5 folks “carrying tactical uniforms and carrying automated weapons” opened fireplace on guards on the entrance after which began capturing on the viewers.

A witness instructed AFP it was a couple of minutes earlier than the beginning of the live performance by Piknik when automated gunfire rang out.

About 100 folks escaped by the theatre basement, whereas others have been sheltering on the roof, the emergency providers ministry stated on its Telegram channel.

Three helicopters have been concerned in efforts to place out the fireplace, dumping water on the large live performance venue that may maintain a number of thousand folks and has hosted high worldwide artists.

Shortly after midnight, the emergencies ministry stated the fireplace had been contained. Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov later stated the flames had been “principally eradicated”, and rescuers had been in a position to enter the auditorium.

President Putin — who was knowledgeable of the assault “inside the first minutes”, in accordance with the Kremlin — wished a speedy restoration to the wounded victims, Russia’s deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian information businesses.

Putin has not commented publicly on the assault.
– ‘Odious crime’ –

Outdoors the burning constructing, heartbroken relations of these on the live performance spoke of hopelessness as they frantically tried to contact family members.

Semyon, 33, whose spouse attended, stated “no person is aware of” the place she is. “I’ve referred to as 5 hospitals, all busy,” he stated. “I’m in a whole panic, my complete physique hurts.”

Russia’s international ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated it had been a “bloody terrorist assault”.

“The entire worldwide group should condemn this odious crime,” she stated on Telegram.

The US presidency referred to as the assault “horrible” and stated there was no quick signal of any hyperlink to the battle in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s presidency stated Kyiv had “nothing to do” with the assault, whereas its army intelligence referred to as the incident a Russian “provocation” and charged that Moscow particular providers have been behind it.

The Freedom of Russia Legion, a pro-Ukrainian militia liable for assaults on Russia’s border areas, additionally denied any function.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev vowed on Telegram that Ukraine’s high officers “should be discovered and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists” in the event that they have been linked to the assault.

The United Nations, European Union, France, Spain, Italy and a number of other different nations additionally condemned the assault.

The White Home stated its “ideas are with the victims of this horrible capturing assault”, whereas French President Emmanuel Macron additionally expressed “solidarity with the victims, their family members and all of the Russian folks”.

Orthodox church chief Patriarch Kirill was “praying for peace for the souls of the lifeless”, stated his spokesman Vladimir Legoyda.

– Earlier warnings –

Moscow and different Russian cities have been the targets of earlier assaults by Islamist teams however there have additionally been incidents with none clear political motive.

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia stated it was monitoring reviews that “extremists” have been planning “to focus on giant gatherings in Moscow”, together with live shows.

The White Home stated Friday that the USA warned Russian authorities earlier in March a couple of “deliberate terrorist assault” presumably focusing on “giant gatherings” in Moscow.

Washington had “shared this data with Russian authorities”, Nationwide Safety Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson stated.

In 2002, Chechen separatist fighters took 912 folks hostage in a Moscow theatre, the Dubrovka, demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from the area.

Particular forces attacked the theatre to finish the hostage-taking and 130 folks have been killed, almost all suffocated by a fuel utilized by safety forces to knock out the gunmen.

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