Islamic State Khorasan Province claims responsibility for attack at Crocus City Hall, Krasnogorsk

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 

Crocus City Hall after the attack.
Image: Пресс-служба Губернатора Московской области.

Armed gunmen killed more than 133 people and injured more than 145, including children, at a music concert at Crocus City Hall, Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, Russia on Friday evening. Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K or IS-KP) released a statement claiming its members were responsible for "killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place" on their Telegram channel.

Some of the attackers threw explosives, which caused a large fire in the complex. The fire grew out of control, trapping people inside and ultimately lead to the collapse of the roof. Russian news media reported that at its largest, the fire was estimated to be 139,000 square feet (12,900 square meters).

The Investigative Committee of Russia initiated an investigation into the event. The National Guard of Russia deployed units to assist in the search for the terrorists. The Kremlin reported eleven people were detained and four of those were suspected of participating directly in the attack.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a public address: "All the perpetrators and organisers behind this crime will, inevitably, face a just punishment. Regardless of who they are, and who was directing them, we will identify and punish everyone who was behind this terrorist attack."

A national day of mourning was declared on Sunday.

Sister links

• Crocus City Hall attack

Sources

• "Russia concert hall attack: Children among more than 100 killed by gunmen in massacre near Moscow" — Sky News, March 23, 2024
• "Moscow concert hall attack: What do we know so far?" — Al Jazeera, March 23, 2024