60 killed in concert attack in Moscow

Gunmen attack a concert in the Russian capital, Moscow, killing 60 people. Another 145 people were injured in this incident. The condition of 60 of them is critical. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack on Friday (March 22). The British news agency Reuters reported this information on Saturday.

Gunmen dressed in combat gear attacked a concert at Crocus City Hall in western Moscow on Friday. The attackers then opened fire on concertgoers with automatic weapons. They also use explosives. As a result, a major fire broke out there.

Crocus City Hall had a concert by the Soviet-era rock group 'Piknik'. At the time of the attack, 6,200 people were at the concert. This is the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege. At that time, the Islamist militants blockaded the school and took more than a thousand people hostage, including hundreds of children.

In the verified video, it was seen that the concertgoers were taking their seats. Meanwhile, gunshots are heard repeatedly, and people try to escape by running here and there.

Another video shows a group of gunmen opening fire and some people lying on the ground after being shot.

A witness, who did not want to be named, told Reuters, "Suddenly we heard a loud noise behind us—the sound of gunshots." I don't know what the sound of firing was exactly.'

The witness also said, 'Everyone ran towards the escalator. During this time, many people were trampled. Everyone was screaming and running.'

Claimed responsibility for the attack

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group's Amaq agency reported this information on Telegram. IS once claimed control over large parts of Iraq and Syria.

The Islamic State said its fighters had attacked the outskirts of Moscow. It caused "hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction before safely returning to the base." The statement did not provide further details.

Some Russian media outlets released a photo of the two alleged attackers in a white car.

US intelligence has confirmed that the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the concert shooting. A US official said on Friday that Washington had warned Moscow of the threat of an attack in recent weeks.

The official said, on condition of anonymity, "We have duly warned the Russians." However, he should have given more detailed information about this.

Meanwhile, Russia has not yet said anything about who is responsible for the attack.

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