Moscow Concert Hall Attack: Death toll rises to 150

Authorities in Russia announced the arrest of 11 individuals, accompanied by four gunmen, following the shooting incident targeting concert attendees at a Moscow concert hall. The death toll has risen to 150 as a result of the attack, which occurred at the Crocus City Hall located in the northern suburb of Krasnogorsk on Friday. Although ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the assault, Russian security services have alleged that the attackers had ties to Ukraine, a country with which Russia has been in conflict for the past two years.

According to the FSB security service of Russia, some of the perpetrators fled towards the Russia-Ukraine border, with reports suggesting that they had connections within Ukraine. Conversely, the United States considers the ISIS-K claim credible and does not hold Ukraine responsible for the attacks. Approximately two weeks before the incident, the US embassy had issued a warning about the possibility of “extremists” targeting large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts.

Various Russian Telegram channels, including Baza, which has close ties to security services, along with a lawmaker, indicated that some suspects were from Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation. However, Tajikistan’s foreign affairs ministry stated that they had not received any official communication from Moscow regarding the involvement of Tajik citizens. The perpetrators, disguised in camouflage attire, stormed the crowded concert hall where attendees anticipated a performance by the Soviet-era rock band Piknik, resulting in the deadliest attack in Russia in at least a decade.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed about the arrests, with authorities cautioning that the death toll was likely to rise further, as over 100 individuals remain hospitalized. The Kremlin confirmed that the head of the FSB security service informed President Putin about the arrests, emphasizing the ongoing updates provided to him. Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported that casualties resulted from both gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation, as a fire engulfed the 6,000-seater venue.

Following the tragic event, leaders from around the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as international organizations such as the EU and the UN, condemned the attacks. Expressing solidarity with Russia, they conveyed their condolences and wished for the swift recovery of the injured. Within the concert hall, witnesses recounted hearing gunfire followed by screams of panic, culminating in the venue being consumed by flames. As armed individuals entered the theater just moments before the scheduled start of the concert, chaos ensued, with some capturing the harrowing events on video. In response to the crisis, residents of Moscow lined up in the rain to donate blood, while memorial posters adorned bus stops across the city, replacing advertising billboards. Additionally, major events throughout the country were canceled as a somber atmosphere prevailed in the wake of the tragedy.

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