Tragic Incident at Moscow Concert Hall Leaves Over 100 Injured and 133 Dead

A devastating tragedy unfolded at a concert venue near Moscow, where attackers launched a brutal and horrific assault. Here are the distressing details:

• Date: March 23, 2024
• Location: Moscow, Russia
• Death Toll: At least 133 lives lost
• Injuries: Over 100 people wounded

ISIS has claimed responsibility for this savage act of terrorism. The assailants stormed the venue, armed with guns and incendiary devices. Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the attack as a despicable act of terrorism.

Efforts are currently underway to rescue those affected, with firefighters working tirelessly to extinguish the flames that engulfed parts of the Crocus City complex. The venue has suffered significant damage, and the process of removing rubble is ongoing.

Russian officials have suggested, without providing evidence, that Ukraine may have been involved in this horrifying attack. However, Ukrainian agencies have vehemently denied any connection.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time. May they find comfort and resilience in the face of such senseless violence.

The ISIS-K (ISIL) organization has taken credit for a bold assault on Moscow's Crocus City Hall, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 133 individuals and the injury of over 100 others. 

Investigators from the Russian Investigative Committee are currently conducting an examination of the fire-damaged concert hall following the attack on the Crocus City Hall located on the western outskirts of Moscow. A screenshot captured from the Investigative Committee of Russia via AP Photo shows the investigators at the scene.

According to Russia's Interior Ministry, all four apprehended suspects are foreign nationals. Furthermore, a total of 11 individuals have been arrested in relation to the attack. 

The United Nations Security Council has vehemently denounced the atrocious and cowardly act of terrorism in Krasnogorsk.

As we prepare to conclude our blog, let's review some of the key developments from our coverage of the Moscow attack:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed the nation, denouncing the attack as a "barbaric act of terrorism" and announcing that Sunday, March 24, will be observed as a national day of mourning.

According to Russia's Interior Ministry, all four suspects involved in the attack, who are currently in custody, are foreign nationals.

Tatyana Golikova, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, shared that there are currently 107 individuals receiving medical treatment, including three children, with one child in an extremely critical condition and two children in serious condition.

Refuting claims made by the Russian special services, Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for military intelligence, dismissed the allegation that the Moscow attack suspects had fled to the Ukraine border, stating it as "yet another falsehood".

Several Russian banks, including Sberbank, Sovcombank, and Home Bank, have announced their intention to waive all loans owed by individuals who were either killed or injured in the attack on the Crocus City Hall. Sberbank, in particular, has an existing program in place to support clients during emergency situations. They are currently reviewing loan information related to the victims of the terrorist attack on March 22, 2024, and will proceed to settle those loans. Similarly, Sovcombank and Home Bank have jointly stated that once the final lists of the deceased and injured are published, their employees will verify if any loans or credit card debts are held by the victims or their immediate relatives. In the case of debt discovery, the banks will completely write off the outstanding amounts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answers media questions during his press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian President Zelensky has accused Russian President Putin of attempting to shift the blame for the concert hall attack onto Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him "miserable" for waiting overnight before addressing the Russian people and then accusing Ukraine of involvement in the terror attack at a concert hall near Moscow.

In response to Putin's statement that the attackers had attempted to hide and move towards Ukraine, Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have strongly denied any Ukrainian involvement in the attack.

During his address, Zelensky also expressed frustration that Russians have come to Ukraine, causing destruction and then attempting to blame Ukraine for the situation.

Zelensky warned that if the Russian people do not question their security and intelligence agencies, Putin will continue to exploit such situations for his own benefit.

It is worth noting that the terror group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, as stated in a brief statement published by the ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram. However, no evidence has been provided to support this claim.

Earlier in the week, Putin dismissed warnings from the US embassy about potential terrorist attacks on large gatherings, describing the warnings as "provocative" and "outright blackmail."

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Crocus City Hall Tragedy Marks Russia's Deadliest Attack in Two Decades

According to Al Jazeera's Yulia Shapovalova reporting from Moscow, the recent incident at Crocus City Hall has now become the most devastating attack in Russia since the Beslan school siege 20 years ago. During the Beslan siege, armed individuals advocating for Chechnya's independence took approximately 1,100 hostages for three days, resulting in the loss of 334 lives.

As emergency services continue to clear the debris and inspect the hall, the death toll is expected to rise further. With over 200 people present when the roof collapsed, additional bodies are anticipated to be discovered.

Russia's FSB security service has indicated that the attack was meticul ously planned, with weapons being pre-positioned in advance.

Not limited to Moscow alone, spontaneous memorials have emerged throughout cities in Russia. People are offering flowers, lighting candles, and many are queuing at various medical centers to donate blood in a show of support.

Over 130 people tragically lost their lives in a shooting incident that took place at a concert venue in Moscow on March 23, 2024.

Sources: Google maps, Crocus Group

Graphic: Henrik Pettersson, CNN

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the wake of the tragic concert attack in Moscow. 

Kim stated that North Korea condemns all forms of terrorism and believes that no justification can be found for such heinous acts that endanger human life. He further emphasized that the people of North Korea share in the sorrow and pain felt by the Russian people.

Kim “expressed deep condolences and sympathy” to Putin, the Russian people, the victims and their families on the news of heavy casualties caused by a “large-scale terrorist attack in (the) Moscow region,” KCNA reported.

On Saturday, ISIS released a disturbing video that they claim depicts the attack on a concert hall in suburban Moscow. 

The video, which is approximately 90 seconds long, shows four attackers with their faces blurred and voices distorted. It appears to have been recorded by one of the attackers and suggests a direct link between the perpetrators and ISIS, as they were able to send the video. CNN has confirmed the location of the video to be the concert hall and noted that its identifying metadata has been removed.

In the video, one of the attackers can be seen signaling to another gunman, who proceeds to open fire on people hiding behind a door. The footage shows bodies and blood on the floor, with a fire raging in the distance. Additionally, one of the attackers is shown slitting the throat of a man lying on his back. The video concludes with the four attackers walking away inside the building while smoke is visible in the distance.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on Friday through a statement published by their affiliated news agency, Amaq. However, on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine may have been involved, stating that the perpetrators had attempted to hide and move towards Ukraine. He claimed that there were indications of a prepared escape route on the Ukrainian side of the border. Ukraine has vehemently denied any connection to the attack.

A woman lights candles at a memorial near Crocus City Hall, on the western edge of Moscow, on Saturday. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Crocus International, the Russian company that owns Crocus City Hall, released a statement on Sunday expressing profound condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack at the concert hall in the Moscow region on Friday, where over 130 people lost their lives.

The statement also expressed gratitude to the concert-goers, partners, and artists for their support and assistance during this difficult time. It specifically acknowledged the concert hall team for their professional, clear, and heroic actions in the face of the crisis. Their prompt response and bravery resulted in the rescue of a majority of the guests and employees present at Crocus City Hall that evening.

LET'S GO BEYOND:

Investigation details: The Russian interior ministry has stated that all the terrorists detained in the Bryansk region are foreign citizens. 

Ukraine denies involvement: Ukraine's Defense Intelligence spokesperson, Andrii Yusov, has firmly denied any connection to the terror attack. Despite Russian President Putin's earlier suggestion that the perpetrators had attempted to flee towards Ukraine, no evidence has been presented to support this claim.

Global reactions: Leaders from various countries, including France, Israel, and Turkey, have expressed their condolences and condemned the attack. The United States, represented by the White House and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has strongly condemned the shooting. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also denounced the attack, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by ISIS.

Belarus' assistance: The Belarusian special services reportedly assisted Russia in preventing the alleged terrorists responsible for the attack from escaping across the border. This claim was made by the ambassador of Belarus in Moscow.

Estimated damage: The estimated damage to the Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region, resulting from the terror attack, is believed to range between 9.5-11.4 billion rubles (approximately $103-124 million). This information was provided by a vice president of a shopping union and reported by Russian state media RIA Novosti.