The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Moscow, the jihadist organization’s Telegram channel reports, as reported by Reuters.

“ISIS fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing widespread destruction before retreating to the safety of their bases,” the group said in a statement.

At least 40 people died and 146 were injured, according to the latest tally cited by the Russian news agency Tass, from the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk. As stated by the Russian Minister of Health, 60 of the injured are hospitalized in a critical condition.

The Russian media outlet Fontanka, citing Nina Ostanina, a member of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, reported that children were among the dead in the attack.

The gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons before the start of the concert of the rock band “Picnic” while reports from the Russian media also spoke of the use of explosives by the gunmen. Videos on social media show flames coming out of the building while the roof is also reported to have collapsed.

The total area of ​​the fire that broke out at Crocus City Hall after the attack with the gunshots and explosions that followed is 12,900 square meters, according to the Russian Interfax news agency. Fire crews have contained the fire.

It is estimated that, based on the number of tickets that had been sold, up to 6,200 people were in the concert venue at the time of the attack.

The perpetrators are being sought

However, the latest information states that the Russian law enforcement forces are “searching” for the perpetrators responsible for the deadly attack.

“Special units of the Russian National Guard are working at the scene of the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall. They are looking for criminals and evacuating the building by evacuating the citizens,” the Rosgvardia National Guard announced on its Telegram account.

Russian authorities have so far arrested one suspect. Video shared with the international press captures the moment a man in a dark sweatshirt and hoodie is led away in handcuffs by two Russian uniformed police officers in a patrol car.

Eyewitness: They behaved like trained fighters

An eyewitness told the Mash Telegram channel that there were “at least five” gunmen and that they were “bearded”.

“They acted like trained fighters. The moment they entered the building, the guards and people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the main entrance. The terrorists were armed with AKM rifles. At least two of the attackers were carrying backpacks, possibly containing Molotov cocktails.”

Russia’s first reactions

Shortly after the murderous attack, Erepresentative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova called the attack “terrorist”. The whole world must condemn the “terrorist attack”, he said characteristically.

The mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin called the carnage “a great tragedy” and underlined that all the necessary assistance will be provided to the injured. He also announced that all the events planned for the weekend are cancelled.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a particularly harsh statement, assuring that his country would “destroy” Ukrainian leaders if they were found to be responsible for the bloody attack. “If it turns out that they are terrorists of the Kiev regime … all of them must be found and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists. Including the leaders of the state that committed such brutality,” said Medvedev, who is also the second in command of the Russian security council, in a Telegram message.

Shocked, the EU expresses disgust

EU expresses shock and dismay at reports of terror attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall concert venue.

In a post on the social media “X”, EU foreign policy representative Peter Stano says:

“The EU is shocked and appalled by reports of a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow. The EU condemns all attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens who have been affected.”