40 dead in Moscow rampage
40 were killed and over 100 were wounded in a terrorist attack at the Moscow concert hall on March 22 at approximately 9.45 pm (local time), Sky News reported.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the blast as President Vladimir Putin, who won a fifth term in office on March 17, warned that Russia would strongly hit back at the culprits. Russia’s Foreign Ministry clearly stated that it was a terror attack which had to draw condemnation.
Shortly after the attack, Daesh said on social media site Telegram that they, “attacked a large gathering… on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow” , and added that the fighters had returned back to their bases.
Those responsible used various different explosives and set the Crocus City Hall ablaze, launched bombs onto a large crowd and started firing machine guns. Thick, black billowing smoke could be seen pouring out of the top of the building.
The venue can hold up to 6,000 spectators and it was believed to have been around 70% full at the time of the rampage. The onlookers had gathered to see Russian rock band Piknik.
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According to witnesses, corpses were reportedly seen scattered all over the performance floor and some people sought safety in a basement, whilst others may have been trapped by the fire below. Roughly 100 people made a dash through the theatre basement and others sheltered on the roof.
Saudi Arabia were quick to issue a statement condemning the attack as well as the US, the latter of whom clarified that the atrocities were not linked to the ongoing war between the country and Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have claimed that the Kremlin may exploit the blast in the Russian capital to further carry out brutal militaristic operations in Ukraine and that the country may later on be blamed by the Russian government.
Russian officials announced that all public events over the coming days would be cancelled.
Sky News/ Al Jazeera/ BBC News
