NEW DELHI: The
Islamic State
group on Saturday claimed responsibility for the
attack
on
Crocus City Hall
, in Moscow. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 individuals and left over 145 injured.
According to AFP, the group in a statement on the Telegram messaging app said that IS fighters "attacked a large gathering... on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow."
According to Russian news sources, the gunmen hurled explosives, igniting a large fire at the hall capable of housing 6,000 people. Footage from outside captured the building engulfed in flames, while a sizable plume of smoke billowed into the night sky. The street was illuminated by the flashing blue lights of numerous fire engines, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles.
Emergency services reported that approximately 100 individuals were evacuated from the basement of a Moscow concert hall following a shooting and fire outbreak on Friday. Efforts are underway to assist others seeking refuge on the roof.
The spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he is continuously being briefed on the assault at a concert hall near Moscow, which resulted in numerous casualties on Friday.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "The President is constantly being informed by all relevant services about what is happening and the measures being taken."
International condemnation
White House spokesman John Kirby said, "The images are just horrible and just hard to watch and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack."
The German foreign ministry issued a statement stating, "The images of the horrific attack on innocent people at Crocus City Hall near Moscow are horrific. The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims."
Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukranian presidential adviser denied Ukraine's involvement in the attack stating, "Let's be straight about this: Ukraine had absolutely nothing to do with these events.We have a full-scale, all-out war with the Russian regular army and with the Russian Federation as a country. And regardless of everything, everything will be decided on the battlefield."
(With inputs from agencies)
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