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Russia: Gunmen fire into crowd at concert hall near Moscow

World Friday 22/March/2024 22:40 PM
By: DW
Russia: Gunmen fire into crowd at concert hall near Moscow

Moscow: Several gunmen fired shots Friday at the Crocus City Hall, a huge concert hall on the western edge of the Russian capital, Moscow, local news agencies reported.

What do we know about the incident?

The state news agency RIA Novosti said at least three people dressed in combat fatigues fired weapons, leaving some people dead and wounded.

"Unknown persons opened fire at the Crocus City Hall. The evacuation of people is under way," the emergency services told TASS news agency.

The fire has engulfed a third of the building, and the roof of the building is almost completely engulfed in flames, TASS reported. People are still trapped inside, it added.

Special units of the Russian National Guard have arrived at the scene of a shooting at a concert venue. More than 50 ambulances have been sent to the scene, RIA Novosti reported.

What do the Russian authorities say?

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said it is taking "all necessary measures" in

connection with the shooting at the Crocus City Hall.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday called on the

international community to condemn a shooting incident calling it "a monstrous crime."

Meanwhile, Russian ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova called the incident a "terrorist attack."

How is the world reacting to the shooting?

The White House said that images of shooting in the Russian capital were

"horrible and just hard to watch."

On March 7, the US Embassy in Russia warned that "extremists" were planning an imminent attack in Moscow.