Today on the evening of March 22, a shooting started at the Crocus City Mall near Moscow. Eyewitnesses report a large number of casualties, according to the Telegram channels Baza and ASTRA, as well as the Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin.
According to eyewitnesses, several individuals opened fire with automatic weapons.
Later, Telegram channels reported that at least 35 people were injured during the shooting at the mall.
It has also been reported that as a result of the shooting, 12 people may have died. The mall caught fire, with thick black smoke visible above it.
Casualties may be higher
Russian Telegram channels report that 3 to 10 people with automatic weapons stormed hall 14 of Crocus City Hall and opened fire.
Panic ensued in the hall, with preliminary reports indicating 15 fatalities. The death of one security guard who attempted to stop the attackers has been confirmed.
Firefighters cannot start extinguishing the fire
Several people are reported to be trapped by the flames. Firefighters are unable to begin extinguishing the fire and rescuing people as they await special units.
Photo: Fire at the mall (t.me/bazabazon)
According to preliminary information, over 100 people are trapped by fire inside the Crocus City Hall building.
Around 20:16, information about the possible death of 40 people appeared online. At least 100 may have been injured.
Response to the shooting
The Mayor of Moscow wrote that a "terrible tragedy" occurred today at Crocus City Mall.
He ordered all necessary assistance to be provided to those affected by the incident.
The Governor of the Moscow Region, Andrey Vorobyov, also went to the scene.
Event at the mall
Local media report that a concert by the band Picnic was planned at Crocus City Hall today. However, before it began, unknown individuals in camouflage uniforms and masks stormed the mall.
The concert director of the band reported that the musicians were not harmed.
Shootings in other countries
In February, an unidentified individual opened fire in the New York subway. As a result, one person was killed and five others were injured.
Prior to that, unknown individuals opened fire near a railway station in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident occurred during celebrations following the victory of the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl and caused panic among attending fans.
