Russian authorities have apprehended 11 individuals in connection with a horrific assault at a crowded concert hall near Moscow, with the death toll rising to 133 and over 100 individuals sustaining injuries.
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, additional casualties were discovered within the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, a northern suburb of Moscow. The committee stated in a Telegram post that search operations are ongoing.
During his visit to the venue on Saturday, Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov stated, “Regarding the deceased, it must be stated immediately that the number of victims will increase significantly.”
The attack occurred on Friday when gunmen dressed in military attire opened fire with automatic weapons as concert attendees prepared to watch a performance by Picnic, a renowned Soviet-era rock band. An affiliate of ISIL (ISIS), known as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), claimed responsibility for the assault.
The culprits responsible for the deadliest attack in Russia in over a decade have not yet been officially identified. This tragic incident brings to mind the horrific Beslan school siege in 2004, which claimed the lives of more than 330 individuals, including many children.
The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), previously involved in targeting the Russian embassy in Kabul, claimed responsibility for the attack. They stated that their militants targeted a large gathering on the outskirts of Moscow before safely retreating to their bases.
In response, President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, denouncing the attack as a barbaric act of terrorism. He declared a national day of mourning to honor the victims.
The Federal Security Service (FSB), led by Alexander Bortnikov, has reported the detention of four gunmen and ongoing investigations to identify any accomplices. According to Russia’s interior ministry, all four suspected gunmen are foreign nationals.
The president assured that all the assailants had been apprehended and emphasized that those responsible would face consequences for their actions.
According to the investigative committee, fatalities resulted from both gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation as a fire erupted within the 6,000-seat venue. The committee further stated that the perpetrators utilized a flammable substance to ignite the concert hall, where attendees, including the injured, were present.
As of Saturday morning, the Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry reported that 107 individuals remained hospitalized following the tragic incident.