IS claims responsibility for terrorist attack in Moscow, death toll rises to 80

International Desk: The death toll has risen to 80 after gunmen attacked a concert in the capital of Russia, Moscow. Hundreds more were injured. The attack took place at Crocus City Hall in the northern suburbs of Moscow shortly after 8pm local time on Friday. The terrorist group IS claimed responsibility for the attack.

Russian news agency Interfax reported that five gunmen carried out the attack. After the first firing, grenades or bombs are thrown there. The hall caught fire. A band called Picnic was preparing to perform at the hall at the time of the attack. Six thousand 200 tickets were sold for this concert. That hall has a seating arrangement for more than nine thousand people.

After the attack, members of various organizations came to rescue the casualties. They were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. In a post on its own Telegram channel after the incident, ISIS claimed responsibility, according to Reuters; However, the IS post could not be independently verified. Condemning the attack, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it was a "terrorist attack". A large number of police have been deployed at the spot.

The surrounding area has been evacuated. Russia's investigative agency has launched an investigation into the attack. Various Russian media reported that the attackers entered the concert hall in disguise. They had automatic guns. Video of the attack, released by news agency Reuters, showed the attackers firing indiscriminately and throwing bombs inside the hall.

A fire broke out on the roof of the auditorium and smoke filled all around. Many people lay down on the ground to escape the attack, which lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes. When the firing stopped, people tried to crawl out. About 100 people took shelter in the basement of the hall to escape the attack, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said on its Telegram channel.

Many took shelter on the roof of the hall. All have been evacuated to safety. "The entire international community must condemn this heinous crime," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. The United States also condemned the attack. However, the United States has said that Ukraine has no collusion with this attack.