The recent tragedy that unfolded at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow has sent shockwaves across the globe. This horrific incident, the deadliest in years, has left more than 130 innocent lives lost and hundreds injured. The deadly siege is said to have been executed by four members of the infamous Islamic State group (IS).
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this heartrending incident, detailing the sequence of events, the victims, the attackers, and the aftermath.
How did the attack unfold?
The venue for this tragic event was the Crocus City Hall, located approximately 20km (12 miles) from the Kremlin. The concert hall was preparing for a performance by the rock group Picnic when chaos broke loose.
Unidentified individuals, armed with lethal weapons, stormed into the foyer around 20:00 (17:00 GMT) on that fateful Friday evening. They began firing indiscriminately, sowing terror among the crowd. They then proceeded into the concert hall, continuing their ruthless shooting spree.
As the terrifying scene unfolded within the auditorium, spectators scrambled towards the stage for cover. A woman, recounting her ordeal, mentioned seeing a gunman in the stalls and hearing the chilling sound of gunfire. Evoking a scene of horror, she described crawling behind a loudspeaker for safety.
The situation worsened when fire broke out inside the hall. Flames soon engulfed the façade, and the glass on the top two floors of the seven-storey building shattered. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the attackers used a flammable liquid to set the concert hall on fire, causing further casualties.
Despite the swift response from emergency services, who deployed helicopters to drop about 160 tonnes of water, it took nearly 10 hours to contain the fire.
The attack, which lasted for approximately 20 minutes, resulted in a high number of casualties. Many succumbed to bullet wounds, while others died from smoke inhalation. The band members of Picnic, however, managed to escape unharmed.
Who are the Crocus City Hall victims?
Over 6,000 people had gathered at the retail and concert complex for the event. The death toll has been rising steadily, with at least 137 confirmed fatalities as of Sunday afternoon. The victims ranged in age, with the oldest being in her 70s and three children among the deceased. Many of those killed and wounded were residents of nearby towns on Moscow’s north-western fringe.
Who are the attackers?
The individuals responsible for the attack managed to escape the scene, triggering a nationwide manhunt. Russian MP Alexander Khinshtein claimed that the attackers fled in a white Renault car. Subsequently, 11 people were arrested, including four who were “directly involved” in the attack.
The Arrests
The four prime suspects were presented in a Moscow court. They were identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov. All of them were charged with an act of terrorism and potentially face life imprisonment if convicted.
The Islamic State’s Involvement
The Islamic State group, in a statement released on Friday, claimed responsibility for the attack. They later released a photograph of the alleged attackers, all masked, and a graphic video from the attack. However, Russian authorities have not commented on the IS claim.
The US Warning
Prior to the attack, the US had warned Russia of a potential terrorist attack targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow. However, Russian officials complained about the lack of specific details in the US intelligence. President Vladimir Putin criticized these warnings, describing them as provocative and an attempt to destabilize Russian society.
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In the aftermath of the attack, President Putin made a controversial claim that the attackers were trying to flee to Ukraine and that a border crossing was prepared for them by the Ukrainian side. This claim was quickly dismissed as “absolutely untenable and absurd” by Ukraine.
Conclusion
The Moscow concert hall attack is a grim reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism. This tragic incident has left the world in mourning and raised serious questions about global security measures. As investigations continue, it is hoped that justice will be served to the victims of this gruesome attack.
Exciting news! Storify News is now on WhatsApp Channels. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news! Click here!
Disclaimer: (This story, title and image has not been edited by StorifyNews.com staff and is published content from other source).