International

Shooting and blast reported at concert hall near Moscow

At least a dozen people have been killed and many more wounded according to unofficial reports in the worst terror attack in Russia in years, as gunmen in combat fatigues opened fire and detonated explosives in a big concert hall in Moscow, The Guardian reports.

Photos showed the Crocus City Music Hall engulfed in flames as videos emerged from the concert hall attack, showing at least four gunmen opening fire from automatic weapons as panicked Russians fled for their lives.

In one video, three men in fatigues carrying rifles fired at point blank range into bodies strewn about the lobby of the concert hall. The attackers also apparently detonated explosives, as the the sounds of blasts could be heard in other videos from the attack.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a “great tragedy.” At least 50 ambulances had been dispatched to the site of the attack.

“The attackers presumably opened fire at the entrance to the building during a concert, using automatic weapons, and then a fire began in the building,” said emergency services. Authorities said that up to five people took part in the attack.

Russian media reports said that riot police units were sent to the area as people were being evacuated.

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