Governments around the world have condemned the act of terrorism at the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow on Friday evening, in which at least 115people were killed and over 187 injured.
Messages of condolences and support for the Russian people – as well as condemnations of the yet-unidentified perpetrators – began arriving in Moscow shortly after the attack.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his condolences to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and the families of the victims over the “serious terrorist attack” on Crocus City Hall, Russia’s embassy in Beijing announced, citing a message from the Chinese leader. Xi said he was “shocked” by what happened.
”China opposes terrorism in all its forms, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports the efforts of the Russian government to ensure national security and stability,” the Chinese president said.
Cyprus is “shocked by the tragic news” of the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall, the island nation’s foreign ministry has said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). It expressed condolences to the families of the victims, adding that the Cypriot authorities “strongly condemn the attack against civilians.”
“Cuba condemns the monstrous terrorist act committed in the Moscow region,” said President Miguel Diaz-Canel, sending condolences to the Russian government and people for the loss of life and wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
“Republic of Srpska strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Moscow this evening, which harmed dozens of innocents,” said Milorad Dodik, president of the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Such attacks are a reminder to us all never to stop fighting against terrorists, who are the common enemy of the civilized world.”
President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela condemned the “atrocious armed attack perpetrated against innocent civilians” and sent a message of solidarity to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the “brotherly people of the Russian Federation, certain that they will face this bitter moment with unity.”
“Kazakhstan strongly condemns the terrorist act against civilians in Moscow,” said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. “There can be no justification for terrorism,” he added, offering help from Kazakhstan’s law enforcement agencies if needed.
Bolivia “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the terrorist attack in Moscow, said President Luis Arce. “This tragic event must be condemned by the entire international community.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan phoned his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to convey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s condolences and the “unconditional condemnation of the bloody terrorist attack.”
“We are following with deep pain what is happening in Moscow,” said the Foreign Ministry of Belarus. “This heinous act of terrorism cannot be justified. We stand with the fraternal Russian people in these difficult moments.”
“The murder of unarmed people who came to spend a Friday evening in an entertainment center is unjustified barbarity and cruelty,” Minsk added. “We are confident that everyone involved in this crime will receive the punishment they deserve.”
The Foreign Ministry of Armenia said the country was “shocked by the terrifying news about the inhuman terrorist attack in Moscow,” mourned the loss of life and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, has canceled all large-scale events in the Russian capital after a shooting at the Crocus City Hall, one of the biggest music venues just outside of the city.
A group of gunmen was reportedly responsible for the spree of violence, after which a major fire started on the premises.
Sobyanin called the incident a terrible tragedy and asked Muscovites to understand his decision to ban all gatherings for the weekend.
”I extend my condolences to the families of those who were killed. I have ordered all necessary assistance to those affected,” he wrote on social media.
Few details about the shooting have been officially confirmed so far, except that it has resulted in multiple deaths. Footage circulating online indicates the attackers were armed with automatic weapons and dressed in tactical gear.
At least 60 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a “terrorist attack” at the Crocus City Hall shopping mall and concert complex, northwest of Moscow, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on Friday.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, about 100 people have been escorted to safety by firefighters.
“Fire and rescue units are operating… Their main efforts are aimed at search and rescue. Firefighters evacuated about 100 people from the basement of the building. Work is underway to rescue others from the roof using lifts,” the ministry’s message says.
According to local media, up to 6,200 people could have been in the building when the shooting started, as the scheduled concert was sold out.
People built makeshift barricades and tried to break out through the windows to escape, eyewitnesses told the media. The death toll is expected to grow, given the scale of the attack and inferno that has engulfed the mall.
Crocus City Hall, a large mall and music venue just northwest of the Russian capital, came under attack by unknown assailants late Friday. At least three individuals armed with assault rifles attacked visitors and targeted a concert hall, setting it on fire.
The attackers struck the venue, situated at one end of the sprawling complex in Moscow Region, just before a concert by the rock band Picnic, which was scheduled for Friday evening. The Crocus City Hall features a concert hall, an aquarium, a mall, and a wedding venue.