According to the Russian Foreign Security Service, more than 40 people were killed and over 100 others were injured in a shooting incident at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, one of Russia’s largest shopping and entertainment complexes, on Friday evening.
Following the shooting, a large fire broke out at the complex, engulfing the area.
The Russian foreign ministry has labeled the incident as a “terrorist attack,” marking the deadliest attack in Central Russia since the Domodedovo airport bombing in 2011.
The attack occurred during a concert by the band Picnic when at least 5 gunmen stormed the complex and opened fire with automatic weapons. The cause of the ensuing fire is still under investigation.
Emergency services responded to the scene, with more than 70 ambulance teams deployed and firefighting helicopters trying to contain the blaze.
At least 21 people have been hospitalized out of the injured, according to Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov.
Most of the building is on fire, and the roof has partially collapsed, as reported by Russian news agency Interfax.
Public events in Podolsk near Moscow have been canceled, and the mayor of Moscow has called off all mass gatherings for the weekend in response to the incident.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed of the attack and is receiving updates, according to the Kremlin.
The White House is monitoring the situation in Moscow, with limited information currently available, as stated by National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has expressed condolences to the Russian people for the lives lost and those injured in the attack at Crocus City Hall.
A previous warning issued by the U.S. Embassy on March 7 advised American citizens to avoid large gatherings in Moscow due to potential security threats.
