Over 200 Casualties After Indiscriminate Shooting and Fire at Moscow Concert Hall

A mass shooting and fire broke out at a large concert hall located on the outskirts of downtown Moscow, Russia, resulting in over 60 deaths and more than 140 injuries.

According to local media including RIA Novosti on the 22nd (local time), at least three armed assailants indiscriminately fired guns at the Crocus City Hall concert venue located in the northwest outskirts of Moscow in the evening, followed by a large fire.

On the 22nd (local time), flames are rising at a large concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, where a indiscriminate shooting incident occurred.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Local media reported that the death toll reached 62. The number of injured was also counted at a minimum of 146, with some being transferred to hospitals and in critical condition. Earlier, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) tentatively confirmed that 40 people were killed and over 100 were injured in the attack.

The Emergency Situations Ministry stated that about 100 people were rescued through the basement of the venue, and rescue operations are continuing via the rooftop.

Videos showing the assailants indiscriminately shooting inside the concert hall and in the shops outside the hall have been posted on social media platforms such as Telegram. People hit by gunfire were lying on the floor bleeding, and panicked crowds rushed toward the exits attempting to escape.

Following this, explosions and flames broke out. TASS news agency reported that the fire may have originated from a machine gun. About one-third of the building was engulfed in flames, and Interfax news agency reported that the fire area in the concert hall could reach 3,000㎡.

RIA Novosti reported that the roof of the concert hall engulfed in flames was collapsing. The rock band Piknik was scheduled to perform at the venue that evening. Members of the Piknik group were reported to have evacuated unharmed.

The Russian Federal Investigative Committee announced that it has launched an investigation into the terrorist act. The Russian federal special forces stated that they are searching for the perpetrators.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been continuously receiving reports on the situation and has issued all necessary orders, the Kremlin said.

Countries around the world, including the United States, have issued statements of condolence.