At least 115 people were killed in Friday’s attack on a Moscow concert hall by armed gunmen, Russian authorities said Saturday, warning the death toll was likely to continue rising.
“The emergency services have found more bodies while removing the rubble. The death toll now stands at 115 people,” Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said in a statement
Blinken denounces 'heinous' Moscow attack
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday condemned the Moscow attack, calling it a “heinous crime.”
“We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event,” Blinken said in a statement.
Earlier, the White House had called the attack in a Moscow suburb that killed 133 people “terrible” and offered condolences.
Putin calls Moscow concert hall attack 'barbaric'
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called an attack on a concert hall that killed more than 100 a “barbaric terrorist act” and announced a day of national mourning.
In a televised address to the nation, Putin said: “I am speaking to you today in connection with the bloody, barbaric terrorist act, the victims of which were dozens of innocent, peaceful people. … I declare 24 March a day of national mourning.”
Zelensky aide rejects Ukraine link to Moscow concert hall attack
Kyiv said on Saturday it rejected Russian claims of a Ukrainian link to an attack on a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 100 people.
“The versions of Russian special services regarding Ukraine are absolutely untenable and absurd,” presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak said in a post on X, after Russia’s FSB said Saturday it had arrested the gunmen trying to flee to Ukraine.
Russia says concert hall attackers 'had contacts' in Ukraine: agencies
Russia’s FSB security service on Saturday said that the perpetrators behind a deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall had “contacts” in Ukraine and were attempting to escape there, as reported by state news agencies.
“After committing the terrorist attack, the criminals intended to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border, and had appropriate contacts on the Ukrainian side,” the state-run TASS news agency quoted the FSB as saying, after it announced 11 arrests over the attack.
11 arrested in Russia for concert hall attack, including 4 assailants
Russia has arrested 11 people, including all four assailants, over Friday’s deadly attack on a concert hall, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday.
The head of the FSB security service informed Russian President Vladimir Putin “about the detention of 11 people, including all four terrorists directly involved in carrying out the attack,” Russian state news agencies cited the Kremlin as saying in a statement.
World leaders condemn Russian concert hall attack
World leaders condemned a deadly attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of over 60 individuals and left more than 100 wounded.
President Vladimir Putin wished a speedy recovery to the wounded victims and conveyed his thanks to doctors, Russia’s deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Saturday after meeting with him.
The main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian defense ministry said “the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on Putin’s orders”, alleging that the aim was to “further escalate and expand the war” with Ukraine.
The White House sent its condolences to the victims of the “terrible” shooting, saying it was trying to get more information.
“Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch.”
The White House also said that the United States warned Russian authorities earlier in March about a “planned terrorist attack” possibly targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow.
President Xi Jinping “strongly condemned” the attack and sent his condolences to Putin, state media reported.
The European Union said it was “shocked and appalled” by the Moscow attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he “strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State”, according to the Elysee Palace.
“The images of the terrible attack on innocent people in Crocus City Hall near Moscow are horrific. The background must be investigated quickly,” Germany’s foreign office said on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the attack an “odious act of terrorism”. “The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable.”
The Spanish foreign ministry said it was “shocked” by the attack, saying it “condemns any form of violence”.
“Saddened by tonight’s tragic events in Moscow. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and to all those affected,” Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz posted on X.
“We express our support for President Vladimir Putin and raise our voice to categorically reject any act of violence,” said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on X.
Mexico’s foreign affairs ministry said it “rejects any act of violence against civilian lives”.
“India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.
Japan condemned the attack, extended its condolences to the bereaved and expressed “its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured”, according to a statement from foreign ministry press secretary Kobayashi Maki.
Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack in Moscow
In a statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressed strong condemnation for the terrorist attack that struck civilians in Moscow resulting in casualties.
“We strongly condemn the terrorist attack that targeted civilians in Crocus City near Moscow, killing and wounding a number of civilians,” the ministry asserted.
The ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the Russian government and the bereaved families, wishing swift recovery to those injured. Emphasizing the global responsibility in combating terrorism, the statement reiterated the imperative for all nations to reject violence in all its forms.
UN Chief strongly condemns Moscow gun attack
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly denounced the attack on a Moscow concert hall that resulted in the deaths of 40 individuals and left 100 wounded, according to his spokesman on Friday.
Spokesman Farhan Haq stated, “The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation,” in a released statement.
Islamic State group claims responsibility for deadly gun attack in Moscow
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly gun attack at a Moscow concert hall where at least 40 people were killed, as reported by Russian authorities.
The attack occurred on the outskirts of Moscow, with IS fighters targeting a large gathering, according to a statement released on the Telegram messaging app. The assailants reportedly escaped safely to their bases after the attack.
Russia’s National Guard is actively searching for the attackers, who opened fire during a rock concert in a northern Moscow suburb, resulting in the deaths of 40 individuals, injuries to 100 others, and setting the theater ablaze.
The gunmen, dressed in camouflage uniforms, launched the assault by firing shots and throwing explosives, causing chaos at the venue.
Following the incident, a terrorist investigation has been initiated by Russian officials, with President Vladimir Putin being regularly briefed on the situation. Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin is closely monitoring the developments following the tragic attack.
Gun attack at Moscow concert
Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building on Friday, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene.
Fire quickly spread through the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow’s northern Krasnogorsk suburb, as smoke filled the building and screaming visitors rushed to emergency exits.
Alexei, a music producer, was about to settle into his seat before the start of a rock concert when he heard gunfire and “a lot of screams”.
“I realized right away that it was automatic gunfire and understood that most likely it’s the worst: a terrorist attack,” said Alexei, who would not give his last name.
As people ran towards emergency exits, “there was a terrible crush” with concert-goers climbing on one another’s heads to get out, he added.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said Saturday that more than 60 people had been killed, raising an earlier toll of 40, according to Russian news agencies.
Russia’s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said 115 people were hospitalized, including five children, one of whom was in grave condition. Of the 110 adult patients, 60 were in serious condition.
