“ODIUS CRIME”
About 100 folks escaped by means of the theatre basement whereas others have been sheltering on the the roof, the emergency providers ministry mentioned on its Telegram channel.
Telegram information channels Baza and Mash, that are near safety forces, confirmed video pictures of flames and black smoke pouring from the live performance corridor.
Different pictures confirmed two males strolling by means of the corridor with at the least one particular person left on the bottom close to the doorway. Spectators have been additionally seen hiding behind seats or attempting to flee.
Russia’s international ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned it had been a “terrorist assault”.
“The entire worldwide neighborhood should condemn this odious crime,” she mentioned on Telegram.
The US presidency referred to as the assault “horrible” however mentioned there was no rapid indication of any hyperlink to the struggle in Ukraine.
“I provide my condolences to the households of the lifeless,” mentioned Moscow’s mayor as a serious safety operation was launched across the theatre and close by shopping center.
Sobyanin mentioned he had cancelled all public occasions in Moscow for the weekend.
TASS information company mentioned that SOBR and particular police forces and the OMON anti-riot squad had been despatched to the Crocus corridor.
It added that every one the members of the rock band had been evacuated safely.
Orthodox church chief Patriarch Kirill was “praying for peace for the souls of the lifeless,” mentioned his spokesman Vladimir Legoyda.
