Russian diplomacy deplores a “terrorist attack” after a shooting and fire in a concert hall near Moscow on Friday March 22. An initial report shows 40 dead and more than 100 injured.
Several armed men burst into the Crocus City Hall concert hall, located near Moscow, in camouflage outfits, during a rock band's performance on Friday March 22. A shooting, followed by a fire, took place, report Russian press agencies, taken up by Le Figaro. Russian diplomacy denounced a “bloody terrorist attack” and the mayor of Moscow confirmed the death of several people. According to an initial report from Russian intelligence services, the attack left at least 40 dead and more than 100 injured. “Unknown persons opened fire at Crocus City Hall. The evacuation of people is underway,” emergency services told the state agency TASS. People were evacuated from the basement and others found shelter on the roof. At least 70 ambulances are on site. On social networks, videos show the crowd in panic.
According to a journalist on site, people in camouflage entered the room and fired at the crowd before throwing a "grenade" or "fire bomb", which caused a fire. Public events planned in Moscow this weekend have all been canceled by the mayor. The White House sent its thoughts to the victims of the attack, while saying, "at this point," there was no indication of Ukrainian involvement in the attack. Le Monde reports that all concert tickets at Crocus City Hall had been sold by Friday evening and that the hall has a capacity of 6,200 seats. On Telegram, the Russian Investigative Committee indicated that it had opened an investigation for a “terrorist act”.
