❗️About 100 people were escorted out of Crocus by firefighters, reports the Moscow region headquarters of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

An operation is underway to rescue people from the roof of the building using lifting mechanisms.

US embassy in Moscow hinted at upcoming terrorist attack few weeks before Crocus Hall shooting

"The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists are planning to attack large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, in the near future, and US citizens should avoid large gatherings for the next 48 hours,” the embassy wrote in a statement published on its website on March 7.

When the warning was first issued, it raised eyebrows among Russian observers since there was no public information suggesting that a terrorist attack was likely. The US embassy has yet to clarify what potential terrorist threat it was referring and where it got the intelligence from.

❗️The White House commented on what happened at Moscow's Crocus City Hall: the United States is aware of reports of the shooting, considers the footage from the scene “horrifying”

❗️Security officers are working at the scene of an emergency in Crocus.

❗️The White House claims that it had no information about the preparation of a terrorist attack in Moscow

❗️ The entire international community should condemn the tragic events in Crocus City Hall, said Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

❗️Explosion-like sounds are heard in Crocus, presumably due to a fire, reports Sputnik’s correspondent on the ground.

Helicopter and ambulances arrive at the scene seen near Crocus City Hall.

❗️The blaze engulfing Crocus City Hall is intensifying, according to a Sputnik reporter on the scene.

What is known about Crocus City Hall shooting so far?

A shooting spree erupted on Friday at the major music venue located in Krasnogorsk, a city in the north-west of the Moscow region.

What do we know about the incident?

▪️ At least three people in camouflage burst into the ground floor of the Crocus City Hall venue and opened fire with automatic weapons. The gunmen then threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire in the venue, according to a Sputnik correspondent.

▪️ Audience members lay down on the floor to escape the shooting. After 15 to 20 minutes they began to move towards the exit.

▪️ The Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) and Special Purpose Mobile Unit (OMON), as well as firefighters, rushed to the scene of the incident.

▪️ More than 50 ambulance teams have been dispatched to the site

▪️ The concert hall is on fire, authorities are evacuating people from the building, while the firefighters are trying to put out the flames. At least 100 people have been escorted out of the venue.

Authorities react to the attack:

▪️ Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov rushed to the site of the assault

▪️ The first victims of the terrorist attack were admitted to hopsitals. Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko is monitoring the situation, the minister's aide told Sputnik.

▪️ Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged the world community to condemn the assault on the concert hall.

▪️ The White House claims that it had no information about the preparation of a terrorist attack in Moscow.

▪️ Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that all sport, cultural and other public events in Moscow would be cancelled this weekend.

❗️If the United States has or had reliable data on the terrorist attack in Crocus, it must be immediately transferred to Russia, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

The Investigative Committee has announced that a criminal case involving terrorism charges over the Crocus City Hall shooting attack has been opened following the emergency.

⚡️Russia’s FSB: The terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall has resulted in 40 dead and 100 wounded so far, according to preliminary figures.

New footage from Moscow’s Crocus City Hall at this moment

⚡️The terrorists who attacked Crocus City Hall broke into the concert hall and started shooting people at close range, as reported by a Sputnik correspondent who witnessed the incident.

According to the correspondent, the attack occurred between the second and third intermission bell, just minutes before 20:00 Moscow time, right as the concert was set to begin. At least three men wearing camouflage and without masks burst into the hall through the stalls and began shooting people point-blank, in addition to throwing incendiary bombs.

Those who were able to escape the hall were directed towards the emergency exits by the complex's security, while the guards remained in place.

⚡️⚡️Putin was informed about the shooting at Crocus City Hall within moments of it starting, the Kremlin stated.

The President is constantly receiving information about the situation on the ground and the measures being taken through all the relevant agencies, and has given all the necessary instructions, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slams the White House for rushing to absolve Ukraine of responsibility for Moscow terrorist attack:

“The White House said it saw no indication that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the terrorist attack in Moscow.

On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions about anyone's innocence in the midst of a tragedy? If the United States has or had reliable information in this regard, then it must be immediately transferred to the Russian side.

And if there is no such data, then the White House has no right to issue indulgences to anyone.

All those involved, as stated by the Russian leadership, will be identified by the competent authorities.”

Russia calls upon the UN to condemn the Moscow terrorist attack, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram:

“The UN Secretary General's office said it was saddened by reports of the shooting.

SADDENED? BY A SHOOTING? Was that shooting at a shooting range, or what?

Live, people with all their might are broadcasting footage of a monstrous, bloody terrorist attack, which evokes not ‘sadness,’ but horror, shock, shock, unconditional condemnation, righteous anger and compassion for the victims.”

Turkey’s top diplomat has called Lavrov and conveyed Erdogan’s condolences to the Russian people, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.