at least 60 dead in an attack on a concert hall near Moscow, an investigation opened for “terrorist act”

A fire broke out in the building, while the police said they were “searching” for the attackers. Ukraine claims not to be involved.

At least 60 people died and 115 were injured in a shooting followed by a huge fire in a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow on Friday March 22. “The bodies of the deceased are being examined. It is provisionally established that the terrorist attack left more than 60 people dead. Unfortunately, the number of victims may increase”declared the Investigative Committee on the night of Friday to Saturday, quoted by Russian news agencies.

This assault by several armed individuals took place in the evening at Crocus City Hall, a concert hall located in Krasnogorsk, a suburb located just northwest of the Russian capital. An AFP journalist saw the building engulfed in a large fire, plumes of black smoke escaping from the roof, as well as a very large presence of police and emergency services, whose blue flashing lights lit up dozens at night.

Ukraine denies any involvement

The spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, Maria Zakharova, denounced “bloody terrorist attack” and one “monstrous crime”. An investigation into a “terrorist act” has been opened. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev assured that Moscow would kill Ukrainian leaders if it turned out that they were involved in this attack. For their part, Ukraine and a unit of pro-Ukraine fighters behind recent armed border incursions have denied any responsibility for this attack.

In the evening, the Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for this attack on Friday evening. IS fighters “attacked a large gathering (…) in the vicinity of the Russian capital Moscow”said the jihadist organization on one of its Telegram accounts.

The American embassy in Russia warned its citizens two weeks ago that “Extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts”. “If the United States has or had reliable data on this subject, it must immediately transmit it to the Russian side”Maria Zakharova said on Friday.