By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

In a horrific act of violence, gunmen unleashed terror at a popular concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 people and leaving more than 100 wounded, as reported by Russia’s top security agency and state news agencies.

The attack occurred on Friday evening, with multiple gunmen opening fire at the concert hall, which hosts one of Moscow’s largest and most popular concert halls. According to Tass, more than one-third of the building was engulfed in flames as emergency services rushed to the scene, attempting to rescue people from the roof. Three helicopters were dispatched to aid in the operation as an explosion rocked the area at 9:32 p.m., intensifying the fire, as reported by RIA Novosti.

The roof near the stage began to collapse around 10 p.m., further escalating the chaos inside the venue. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, state media agencies reported the involvement of up to five perpetrators. Russia’s Investigative Committee swiftly launched a criminal case into the incident, treating it as a terrorist act, and dispatched investigators to the scene.

Videos verified by The New York Times depicted harrowing scenes of gunmen entering the Crocus City Hall, a shopping mall and concert venue, and injured individuals lying on the ground. Inside the concert hall, attendees awaiting a performance by the rock band Piknik were thrown into a state of panic as gunfire echoed from outside the building.

Describing the scene, a correspondent for RIA Novosti reported that armed individuals had stormed the ground floor of Crocus City Hall, indiscriminately firing automatic weapons. Social media posts shared images of bodies outside the venue, underscoring the gravity of the tragedy.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin lamented the incident as a “tragedy,” confirming multiple fatalities and announcing the cancellation of all large events scheduled for the weekend. The attack sent shockwaves across the country, where shootings are rare due to stringent firearm regulations.

The assault occurred amidst heightened tensions, with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow issuing a security alert earlier in the month warning of potential extremist threats targeting large gatherings in the capital. President Vladimir Putin condemned the embassy’s warning as “obvious blackmail,” accusing the U.S. of attempting to destabilize Russian society.

As investigations into the attack unfold, there is no immediate indication of Ukrainian involvement, despite simultaneous missile strikes on Ukraine. White House officials emphasized that there is no evidence linking Ukraine to the shooting, urging caution in drawing premature conclusions.

The devastating attack underscores the vulnerability of public spaces to acts of violence and the urgent need for enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of citizens. As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, authorities are mobilizing resources to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent future atrocities.