Posted on 03/22/24
| News Source: The Hill
Multiple gunmen opened fire at a Moscow concert hall Friday, leaving at least 40 people dead and more than 100 people injured, Russia’s Federal Security Service said.
Video footage from the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow shows at least three gunmen dressed in camouflage clothing firing automatic weapons. The Associated Press reported that assailants also threw explosives, creating a large fire.
Fifty ambulance crews were sent to the scene, as well as police and firefighters, Reuters reported, citing Russian news agencies.
In one video posted on social media, gunmen were filmed shooting at civilians near the hall’s entrance sign. Other footage showed multiple people lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
The AP reported the apparent terror attack was the worst in Russia in two decades. Russian authorities are investigating the attack.
Russian news reports said the attackers threw explosives during the attack, and the roof of the venue was collapsing, according to AP.
The governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, is setting up a task force to deal with the damage, according to AP.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said the footage is “hard to watch,” and he added there is no evidence that Ukrainians were involved in the attack.