State Department issues warning to Americans in Moscow
The State Department said that the U.S. embassy in Moscow is aware of the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall and that U.S. citizens should avoid the area and follow the instructions of local authorities.
“The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for U.S. embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates in Russia,” the state department said in a message posted to its website.
‘What a nightmare in Crocus,’ Widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny condolences about concert attack
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who died in prison last month, expressed her condolences about the attack Friday.
“What a nightmare in Crocus,” Navalnaya wrote on X. “Condolences to the families of the victims and quick recovery to the injured. Everyone involved in this crime must be found and held accountable.”
320 firefighters, 3 helicopters working to put out fire
Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said the number of rescue crews responding to the attack is growing and now includes more than 320 firefighters, 130 emergency vehicles and three helicopters dumping water on the burning concert venue.
Moscow regional governor says 40 dead, more than 100 injured
Moscow Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram that at least 40 people are dead and more than 100 injured in the terrorist attack, confirming figures previously reported by Russian state news.
Putin informed about concert venue attack ‘in the first minutes,’ Kremlin spokesperson says
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was informed about the shooting at the Crocus concert hall “in the first minutes” of the attack, Russian state news agency RIA reported.
The president is receiving information about what is happening and the measures being taken through all relevant services and is giving necessary instructions, Peskov said according to RIA.
Russian journalist was inside concert venue when gunmen entered
Russian news agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram that one of its reporters was inside the venue when gunmen entered and began shooting concertgoers.
The journalist said that at least three unmasked gunmen in camouflage entered the hall a few minutes before 8 p.m. Moscow time. They shot people point-blank and threw incendiary bombs, according to the journalist.
Roof of concert hall partially collapsing, TASS reports
The roof of the concert hall is partially collapsing, Russian state news agency Tass reported.
A TASS correspondent reporting from the scene in Moscow said the fire on the roof is still raging but that the structure is beginning to collapse in some places. The glass facade of the building is also reported to be crumbling.
It’s unclear if there are still people inside the building.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson calls incident ‘bloody terrorist attack’
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry, called the Friday night incident at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow a “bloody terrorist attack” as she called for “strong condemnation” from the international community.
“Now, as the Russian authorities have stated, all efforts are being devoted to saving people,” Zakharova said. “The entire world community is obliged to condemn this monstrous crime!”
U.S. national security spokesperson says embassy has told Americans to avoid large gatherings in Moscow
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby addressed the attack in Moscow at a White House press briefing Friday afternoon, calling it a “terrible, terrible shooting attack.”
“The images are just horrible and just hard to watch and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the the victims,” Kirby said.
Kirby added that the U.S. embassy has notified all Americans in Moscow to avoid large gatherings, concerts, shopping malls, etc., and “stay put where they are” for their safety.
Russian media says 40 dead, more than 100 injured at concert attack
TASS, Russia’s state-owned news agency, and RIA Novosti are reporting that Russia’s FSB security agency has put the preliminary casualty count at 40 dead and more than 100 injured by a terrorist attack on a Moscow-area concert venue.
NBC News has not confirmed those casualty numbers.
Roof of concert venue at risk of collapse, Russian media says
Russian news agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram that the roof of the building near the concert venue’s stage has…
Read More: Dozens dead in Crocus City Hall shooting