A horrifying incident at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, claimed the lives of 40 individuals and left more than 100 wounded. The attack, marked by gun violence and explosions, has sent shockwaves around the world.
What is the death toll in the Moscow Crocus City Hall attack?
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The devastating assault on Crocus City Hall, a popular concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, resulted in 40 fatalities and over 100 injuries.
According to reports, gunmen, donned in combat gear, unleashed a barrage of bullets on unsuspecting concertgoers gathered for a performance by the rock band Picnic.
The attack did not stop at gunfire; explosives set off a massive fire within the venue, exacerbating the chaos and destruction.
Rescue operations were swiftly launched, evacuating approximately 100 individuals from the building’s basement, while efforts continued to rescue those trapped on the roof.
Watch: Moscow Crocus City Hall attack caught on camera
Footage from the scene that captured the horror and pandemonium inside Crocus City Hall has surfaced on social media.
Viewers are advised of the graphic nature of the content, which conveys the scale and intensity of the attack.
What was President Vladimir Putin’s response?
The attack occurred shortly after President Vladimir Putin solidified his position through an electoral victory.
The Kremlin has confirmed that Putin is being briefed on the situation and the ongoing response measures.
“The president is constantly being informed by all relevant services about what is happening and the measures being taken,”Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said.
Ukraine and US react to Moscow Crocus City Hall attack
In the wake of the attack, Ukraine was quick to deny any involvement, stressing its stance against terrorism.
Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns over the potential use of this incident by Russia to justify escalating military actions in Ukraine. Conversely, Russian officials have labelled the attack as terrorism, sparking a mix of condemnation and speculation regarding the perpetrators’ origins.
The US has cautioned against prematurely linking the attack to Ukraine, with officials emphasising the lack of evidence to suggest Ukrainian involvement.
“There is no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting. I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine,” US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
Why did US and UK embassies issue terrorist alerts a week before the attack?
Prior to the attack, warnings from the US and UK embassies about potential terrorist threats in Moscow had stirred controversy.
President Putin criticised these alerts as provocative attempts to destabilise Russian society. Following the attack, the US embassy reiterated its advice against travel to Russia, highlighting the ongoing security risks.
This sequence of events has intensified discussions on the geopolitical tensions affecting global security and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.