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Emergency services in front of the Krokus City Hall

Photo: Dmitry Serebryakov / AP

The attackers are still being sought after the attack on an event hall in the Moscow region that left at least 40 dead. Special units of the Russian National Guard are deployed at the Krokus City Hall in Krasnogorsk. In addition, people would be brought to safety. It was initially not known how many attackers there were. Videos showed people running for their lives.

The background to the attack is still unclear. Russia's Central Investigative Committee has opened an investigation into a suspected "terrorist act," as the authority announced on the Telegram news service (read the minutes of the events here).

Late in the evening, the so-called “Islamic State” claimed responsibility for the attack via the Telegram channel of its Amaq News Agency. The “fighters” therefore “withdrew safely.” The claim has not been independently confirmed.

Western embassies had recently warned of terrorist attacks in Moscow. The Kremlin described this as a provocation by the West.

At least 40 dead and over 100 injured

According to authorities, there were shots and explosions in the event hall. Unidentified people wearing camouflage clothing stormed the Krokus City Hall shortly before the start of a concert and opened fire, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office said. According to the Russian domestic secret service FSB, the gunmen killed 40 people. In addition, according to initial findings, more than 100 people were injured, the authority was quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax. The death toll could rise, with Russia's health minister saying 60 of the injured were in serious condition.

The Russian Ministry of Civil Defense said that the building, which also houses a concert hall with thousands of seats, was engulfed in flames over an area of ​​13,000 square meters. So far it has apparently not been possible to put out the fire. Firefighting helicopters were also used. Blazing flames and a huge cloud of smoke could be seen on the building. The roof is said to have collapsed.

Dozens of ambulances and many buses were deployed to bring people to safety. The situation was confusing.

The Krokus City Hall has several event halls that are also used for trade fairs. It is one of the most popular leisure spots for Muscovites and those living in the surrounding areas of the Russian capital. Stars have appeared there again and again. There was supposed to be a concert by the Russian rock band Piknik on Friday evening.

Kiev rejects allegations of connection to the attack

According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the events "from the first minute." According to the Interfax agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that he constantly receives all important information about what is happening and the measures taken via the relevant services.

The head of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, threatened the masterminds of the attack with retaliation. “Those behind this terrible crime will receive the deserved and inevitable punishment,” she wrote on her Telegram channel. At the same time, she announced, the state would do everything it could to help those left behind.

Kiev representatives rejected suspicions of Ukrainian involvement. “Ukraine has absolutely no connection to the events,” emphasized Mykhailo Podoljak, advisor to Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak, in a video message on Telegram. His country is at war with Russia and the Russian army and will crush them with "decisive offensive actions." At the same time, he emphasized: "Unlike the Russian Federation, Ukraine has never used terrorist methods of warfare, terrorism as such." However, there are precedents in the recent past for Russian security forces to be involved in such actions, he said.

In an initial reaction, the USA also warned not to establish any connection with Ukraine. "There is no evidence that Ukraine or Ukrainians had anything to do with the shooting," said US National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby in Washington. Not much can be said about the details yet, but at this early stage we strongly advise against the assumption that there is a connection to Ukraine. The US State Department advised local American citizens to avoid large gatherings of people.

The Foreign Office wrote on X about a “terrible attack on innocent people.” The background needs to be clarified quickly. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families of the victims,” it continued. Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Greens) also spoke on X of a “cowardly attack on people who just wanted to listen to music.”

czl/dpa