MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Unidentified people have conducted a terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk in the Moscow Region. According to the latest figures, more than 60 people were killed, and another 100 were wounded.
Security has been tightened in Moscow and regions, with mass evens being cancelled. Leaders of other countries have expressed condemnation of the terrorist attack and offered condolences due to people’s death.
TASS has collected the main facts about the incident at the moment.
Circumstances of the incident
A group of unidentified gunmen armed with assault rifles went on a shooting spree in the lobby and then inside the concert hall just before a concert by the rock band Picnic, eyewitnesses said. Later an explosion took place in the building and a fire started.
The fire at Crocus City Hall consumed an area of 12,900 square meters, according to the latest information, with the roof starting to partially collapse. In particular, helicopters were used to extinguish the fire. The Emergencies Ministry reported at around 01:00 a.m. Moscow time on Saturday that the fire had been localized.
Casualties
According to the latest figures provided by the Investigative Committee, more than 60 people died in the terrorist attack. The death toll may rise, the Investigative Committee noted.
Some 115 people were hospitalized, including 5 children, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said. More than 30 people have requested ambulatory care.
Sixty people are in severe condition. Almost all surgeries necessary have been performed, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said.
Response from authorities
Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the incident a few minutes after it started, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The president is constantly supplied by all relevant services with information and he has given "all the necessary instructions," Peskov stressed.
Heads of the Federal Security Service, Interior Ministry, Investigative Committee and National Guard have reported to Putin on the terrorist attack investigation, the Kremlin said later. Moreover, Russian Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov told the president about measures that have been assumed for saving people and provision of all necessary help.
Putin also talked to Deputy Prime Minister Golikova, Health Minister Murashko and Governor of the Moscow Region Andrey Vorobyov, the press service of the president reported.
The Federal Security Service said that special services were conducting a search operation. The Investigative Committee has initiated a case on a terrorist attack.
The Investigative Committee said later that arms and armaments were collected from the spot.
Security measures and cancellation of events
Mass events scheduled for March 23 and 24 have been cancelled in Moscow and other regions. Federal culture entities will not hold such event in coming days either.
Due to the tragedy Moscow theatres cancel performances, cinemas and museum suspend work, some universities have announced cancellation of Saturday classes.
Security measures have been tightened in Moscow airports and railway stations. Many other regions announced the tightening of security measures.
World response
Many countries have condemned the terrorist attack and offered condolences due to death of people. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was among the first to offer condolences as he expressed confidence that the organizers and perpetrators of the attack should be justly punished. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev tasked the country’s law enforcement forces to provide help to Russian colleagues if needed.
Both friendly and unfriendly countries made statements, including a number of European countries, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Italy, France and others, Canada, New Zealand among them. The US White House called the terrorist attack an awful attack.
Advisor to the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Mikhail Podolyak said that Kiev was not linked to the incident. The US authorities believe that there are no signs of Ukraine or the Ukrainians being involved in the terrorist attack.
Moreover, the White House said that it was not aware of the possible connection between the events in Crocus City Hall and the warning released by the American embassy in Moscow in early March about possible attacks by extremists. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that the US’ reaction to the terrorist attack raised questions.