SIRIUS /Federal Territory, Russia/, March 25. /TASS/. Budapest calls for intensive international cooperation in efforts at countering terrorism and firmly condemns the deadly terrorist attack late last week on a crowded concert at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told TASS on the sidelines of the ATOMEXPO 2024 forum being held in the Sirius Federal Territory in far southern Russia.
"Hungary was shocked by the footage of the situation in Crocus City Hall. We firmly condemn such a violent form of terrorism. We must counter terrorism globally. It is obvious that it is a challenge for the global community, and we need international cooperation for combatting it," he said.
"All our thoughts and prayers are for the families that lost their loved ones. We wish them continuing strength, as well as a speedy recovery for those still remaining in the hospital. I would also like to wish all Russian citizens, as well as all people around the world, that such a violent terrorist attack never occurs again anywhere in the world," the foreign minister added.
On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, just over the Moscow city limits. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the current death toll is 137, but may rise. According to the Moscow Region Health Ministry, 182 people were injured. Eleven individuals suspected of being involved in the terrorist attack have been apprehended, including four gunmen who were detained in the Bryansk Region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to seek refuge by crossing the nearby Ukrainian border. President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that, according to preliminary information, the Ukrainian side had prepared "a window" in the border especially for the terrorists to cross undetected. He promised to identify and punish all those who were behind the attack on Crocus City Hall and declared March 24 a day of national mourning for the victims.