Russian authorities say attackers have killed at least 40 people and injured more than 100 after gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow on March 22, with reports of multiple explosions and then the upper floors of the venue engulfed in flames.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the international community “to condemn this bloody terrorist attack.”
Shared videos showed attackers storming into the venue before the start of a concert by the musical group Piknik, with at least one firing an assault weapon as they moved through the building.
“According to preliminary information, 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured as a result of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall,” the Federal Security Service (FSB) said.
RIA-Novosti has reported that at least three gunmen were involved and said they appeared to have opened fire with automatic rifles. Interfax reported there were at least five attackers.
There are unconfirmed reports that dozens of people were cut off by fire from immediately reaching exits.
Shared video showed massive flames and smoke visible from a distance as it poured from the upper floors of the building, which is in a high-end district on the edge of Moscow.
The Crocus City Hall is a popular concert venue in a high-end district on the edge of Moscow that attracts major Russian musical acts.
“A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram. “I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.”
Some Telegram and other social media accounts shared accounts of purported eyewitnesses, one of whom reported “shooting from all sides.”
Foreign governments were said to have warned Russia in recent weeks of the risk of an incident.
The U.S. Embassy said on March 7 that it was “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours.”
It urged Americans, who are already discouraged from traveling to Russia, to “avoid crowds.”