Suspects in Crocus Concert Hall Attack Apprehended as Death Toll Climbs to 115

At least 115 people lost their lives when armed attackers with guns and incendiary devices carried out a deadly terror attack at a concert hall complex near Moscow on Friday night. This incident marks the deadliest terror attack in the Russian capital in many years.

The assault took place just days after President Vladimir Putin won a highly controlled election, further solidifying his control over the country that he has governed since the early 2000s.

On Saturday morning, Russia's Investigative Committee provided an update on the tragic incident at the Crocus City complex. They reported that 115 people had lost their lives and 121 others were injured. The committee also mentioned that the number of casualties could increase. Additionally, they informed that four individuals believed to be responsible for the attack were apprehended while attempting to cross into Ukraine from Russia's border.

The Investigative Committee shared that the suspects were captured by special services and law enforcement agencies in the Bryansk region, which is located near the border with Ukraine. These individuals were identified as the perpetrators of the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall.

According to RIA Novosti, the terrorists had their weapons ready in a hidden stash, as reported by the FSB.

The FSB also mentioned that after the attack, the criminals planned to escape across the border between Russia and Ukraine, and had connections on the Ukrainian side.

Russian state news agency Tass mentioned that the attackers had connections on the Ukrainian side. The terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall was well thought out. However, neither agency provided details about the nature of these connections.

Suspects detained

Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack. Mykhailo Podolyak, an official, stated on X that Ukraine has never used terrorist methods and believes it is pointless.

Earlier, there were pictures circulating online of a white Renault car that looked like the one seen outside the hall on Friday. This car was stopped on a highway south of Bryansk in the early hours of Saturday, and the images revealed that it had been badly damaged.

ISIS took credit for the attack in a brief statement released by their news agency Amaq on Telegram last Friday. However, they did not offer any proof to back up their claim.

Video footage from Crocus City Hall shows the complex, housing a music hall and a shopping center, engulfed in flames with smoke rising into the sky. According to RIA Novosti, armed individuals reportedly opened fire with automatic weapons and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, igniting the fire. The suspects then allegedly escaped in a white Renault car.

Eyewitness accounts shared on social media described the terrifying moments inside the concert hall, with survivors recounting how they pretended to be dead in order to evade the attackers.

"They [the assailants] were standing there at the exit,” one woman shared on Instagram. “We got up and started walking. They noticed us, and some of them ran back to shoot at people. I quickly fell to the floor and pretended to be dead. Sadly, the girl next to me was not as fortunate.

As the flames grew, they closed the door, but it seemed they couldn't lock it. I lay there under the door, trying to breathe quietly. Eventually, I mustered the courage to crawl out. The scene was filled with smoke, but I managed to slowly make my way towards the exit."

Russia 24, a state media outlet, stated that the roof of the venue experienced a partial collapse.

More than six hours later, the fire was largely brought under control. Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov mentioned on Telegram that while there are still some pockets of fire, the majority of the fire has been extinguished.

Rescuers continued to work at the scene on Saturday, the Russian Emergencies Ministries said, including in the auditorium where the ceiling had collapsed.

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Horrific scenes after gunmen opened fire

Before a concert by the band Picnic, chaos erupted as reported by Russia 24.

As the attack unfolded, video footage captured the scene of panic. Crowds of people were seen huddling together, screaming, and ducking behind cushioned seats as the sound of gunshots filled the vast hall. In one instance, a group of people sheltering near a large wall of windows outside the concert venue had to break them to flee from the gunfire, as shown in a video obtained by CNN.

One woman who was inside the concert hall waiting for a performance to begin shared her experience on social media. She described seeing people running above, yelling "Run!" as the chaos unfolded. As she started running, the shooting began, and she found herself falling down the aisle.

After getting up, she accidentally hit her head on a seat as they continued to flee. They were running and jumping over obstacles, realizing that the danger was only a few meters behind them. Eventually, they made it onto the stage where there was an immediate exit, allowing them to escape the terrifying situation.

CNN footage shows an armed person starting a fire inside the venue. The person is holding something in their hand and a big flame is seen in the video as they walk away.

A SWAT team was called to the scene, with over 70 ambulance teams and doctors helping the victims.

According to the Kremlin, Putin was informed about the attack and is being kept updated on measures on the ground.

A person places flowers at a makeshift memorial in front of the Crocus City Hall.

Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

The president sent well wishes for a quick recovery to those injured in the attack on Saturday, as reported by the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency. He also expressed gratitude to the doctors for their efforts, RIA added.

The manager of Picnic informed state media that the performers were safe and unharmed. Additionally, Shaman, the band's singer, stated that he would cover the costs for the victims' funerals and the treatment of the injured.

"We are all one big family. And in a family there is no such thing as somebody else’s grief,” the singer expressed in a video shared on the Russian social media platform Vkontakte with his over 600,000 followers.

The US had issued a warning about a possible attack.

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia warned about potential threats of extremist attacks targeting large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts. They advised US citizens to avoid such events. Following the recent Crocus City Hall attack, the embassy went further to recommend that US citizens refrain from traveling to Russia.

Starting in November, there has been consistent intelligence indicating that ISIS-K has been planning attacks in Russia, as reported by two reliable sources.

ISIS-K, short for ISIS-Khorasan, is the affiliate of the terror organization that operates in Afghanistan and the neighboring areas.

According to US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, the US government received intelligence about a possible terrorist attack in Moscow. The attack was believed to target crowded events like concerts, leading the State Department to issue a public advisory.

Putin criticized the American warnings, calling them "provocative" and accusing them of resembling blackmail and attempting to intimidate and destabilize Russian society.

A US official stated on Friday that Washington has no reason to doubt ISIS' claim of responsibility for the recent attack.

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International response

In the wake of the tragedy, world leaders denounced the violence.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his nation's thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families.

French President Emmanuel Macron also denounced the attack, expressing solidarity with the victims, their loved ones, and the Russian people. The Elysee Palace stated France's support for those affected by the tragic event.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the attack.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to Putin on Saturday for the tragic terrorist attack that resulted in significant casualties, as reported by Chinese state media.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place today.

Reporting on this incident was done by CNN journalists Mariya Knight, Eva Rothenberg, Paul Murphy, and Hannah Strange.

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