Key events
Maia Sandu, the president of Moldova, has posted to social media to say that they were “terrible images” at the scene of the attack. She said “Moldova condemns all forms of terrorism. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones and the injured.”
Terrible images of last night’s concert hall attack in Moscow. Moldova condemns all forms of terrorism. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones and the injured.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) March 23, 2024
Tensions between Russia and Moldova have been running high, with Moldova – which borders Ukraine – having accused Russia of acting to destabilise the country. Russian troops are stationed inside Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria.
People have been leaving flowers at the scene of the attack.
One witness to the attack, who have their name as Dave Primov, has spoken to Associated Press about how events unfolded. They described panic and chaos when the assault began.
“There were volleys of gunfire,” Primov told the AP. “We all got up and tried to move toward the aisles. People began to panic, started to run and collided with each other. Some fell down and others trampled on them.”
State-owned Russian media RIA is reporting that a centre for families of those affected by the attack has been set up at the Kubik business centre, which is a couple of blocks away from the scene of the attack last night.
The press service of the Moscow regional governor’s office has issued some handout photos from the scene of the attack, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances. The Russian Investigative Committee has also issued some images from the scene.
107 people in hospital after Crocus City Hall attack – Russian state media
Russian state media is reporting that 107 people are in hospital after the shooting attack at the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow.
Tass reports that a list of those hospitalised has been published by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. It reports that three women and one man are yet to be identified.
Claire Keenan
Messages of mourning have appeared across Russia and around the world as people wake up to the devastating news of Friday night’s Moscow concert hall attack.
Claire Keenan
People in Moscow are going en masse to donate blood at donor centres across Russia after yesterday’s terrorist attack, state news agency Ria reports.
Since the morning, there has been reportedly been a huge queue at the Gavrilov Blood Center in Moscow.
Opening summary …
Claire Keenan
Moscow has suffered it’s worst terror attack in years after several gunmen fired at concertgoers at the Crocus City Hall music venue on Friday night, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145, in an attack claimed by Islamic State militants.
State news agency Ria on Saturday quoted a spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee as saying it was too early to say anything about the fate of the attackers.
Here is a summary of what we know from last night:
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At least 60 people are dead and more than 100 are wounded after gunmen open fired at a rock concert at Crocus City Hall in a suburb of Moscow, Russian intelligence says.
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Three children were among the dead, Ria cited the regional healthcare ministry as saying on Saturday.
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Up to five gunmen were believed to be involved in the attack, which was later claimed by Islamic State in a post on Telegram.
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Videos emerged showing gunmen in tactical gear opening fire with automatic weapons as panicked Russians fled for their lives.
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A large fire broke out in the building, with part of the roof collapsing. It is now said to be mostly extinguished.
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The White House says it warned Russia of a potential attack on “large gatherings” in Moscow earlier this month.
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Russia did not immediately blame anyone for the attack.
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President Putin has wished all those injured in the emergency at Crocus City Hall a speedy recovery and conveyed his gratitude to the doctors, Russia’s Tass state news agency reported.
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Security at airports, transport hubs and across the capital has been tightened. All large-scale public events have been cancelled across the country.
