By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
ALL four gunmen responsible for the Moscow concert terror attack, according to Russian news agencies, have been arrested near Russia’s western border with Ukraine.
Recall that on Friday evening, at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, at least 60 people were killed and over 145 others were wounded after gunmen opened fire at the hall, which is one of the biggest shopping and entertainment complexes in Russia.
A large fire began after the shooting which rapidly engulfed the complex, according to the Russian Foreign Security Service.
Russia’s foreign ministry called the incident a terrorist attack. It’s the largest terror attack in Central Russia in terms of the number of victims since the Domodedovo airport bombing in January 2011 that killed 37 people and injured 172 others.
Alexander Bortnikov, a senior government official, told Putin early Saturday that seven others have also been detained and that the search for the other accomplices is ongoing.
Earlier, Russian media posted unverified photos of a car they said belonged to some of the attackers near Russia’s western border and a Russian MP said at least two suspects were detained after a car chase and a shootout, though neither of these have been verified or confirmed by Russian authorities.
As of Saturday, 23rd March, 2024, the death toll as a result of the terrorist attack has increased to 115, the Investigative Committee said, adding that the search for bodies under the rubble continues.
Authorities earlier said the toll could rise significantly. The local governor said 121 people remain hospitalized.
Among those hospitalized, 80 still remain in hospitals and 13 are in an extremely serious condition while 25 remain in a serious condition.
Preliminary data show the causes of death were gunshot wounds and poisoning by smoke products, the statement said from the Investigative Committee said.
“The terrorists used automatic weapons during the attack, which, along with the ammunition they left behind, were discovered and seized by the investigators,” it added.
The terrorists also used flammable liquid to set fire to the premises of the concert hall, where there were spectators, including the wounded.
ISIS released a statement later Friday evening claiming their fighters attacked a big gathering for Christians in the Russian Moscow suburb, injuring hundreds and causing major destruction.
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