Alwaght- An attack at the Crocus City Hall shopping mall and concert complex northwest of Moscow has killed at least 40 people and injured more than 100, reported Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Friday.
"According to preliminary data, as a result of the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall building 40 people were killed and over 100 were injured," an FSB statement read.
The FSB labeled the shooting a "terrorist attack."
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, about 100 people have been escorted to safety by firefighters.
“Fire and rescue units are operating ... Their main efforts are aimed at search and rescue. Firefighters evacuated about 100 people from the basement of the building. Work is underway to rescue others from the roof using lifts,” RT cited the ministry’s message as reading.
According to local media, up to 6,200 people could have been in the building when the shooting started as the scheduled concert was sold out.
People built makeshift barricades and tried to break out through the windows to escape the shooting scene, eyewitnesses told media outlets.
The death toll is expected to grow, given the scale of the attack and the fire that has engulfed the mall..
Special services are conducting a search effort, measures are underway to provide assistance to those injured, Tass news agency reported.
