A horrific attack on a Moscow concert hall has left the nation reeling. Officials report at least 133 fatalities after gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall venue on Friday evening. In a swift response, authorities have apprehended eleven individuals, including the four suspected attackers.
Details surrounding the assault remain fluid. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as armed men entered the concert hall, firing indiscriminately into the crowded venue. The attackers reportedly set fire to the building, further escalating the carnage. Emergency services rushed to the scene, battling the blaze and evacuating survivors. Rescue efforts continued throughout the night, with the death toll tragically climbing as more bodies were recovered.
The Islamic State militant group, also known as ISIS, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation on Saturday, condemning the act as “a bloody, barbaric terrorist act.” He announced the capture of the four suspected gunmen, alleging they were attempting to flee to Ukraine. Kyiv vehemently denied any involvement in the attack.
The identities of the attackers and their motives remain under investigation. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the apprehended individuals are all foreign nationals. Authorities are searching for potential accomplices and collaborators.
The Crocus City Hall attack marks the deadliest terrorist incident in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis. The horrific events have cast a dark shadow over the nation, prompting an outpouring of grief and solidarity with the victims and their families.
Hospitals in Moscow are treating over 100 wounded survivors, some in critical condition. The attack has also triggered a nationwide security review, with officials vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
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This article first appeared on The WIRE and is brought to you by Hyphen Digital Network
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