Gunmen open fire at Moscow concert hall in deadly attack

Gunmen opened fire at a concert hall in Moscow on Friday, killing dozens of people, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported.
The first unofficial estimates of casualties were 40 killed and 100 injured in the shooting that was carried out by at least three assailants, news agency Tass reported, citing Russian security service FSB.
At least two explosions were heard at the site, a major concert hall on the western edge of the Russian capital, news agencies said.
The explosions reportedly started a massive blaze, with videos posted on Russian messaging apps showing huge plumes of black smoke rising over the building.
Hundreds had gathered at the venue for a concert by Russian rock band Picnic.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as a “huge tragedy”.
About 100 people were evacuated by rescue services from the basement of the venue as riot police were deployed to the area.
Intense gunfire could be heard in several videos shown by Russian media and posted to Telegram channels.
One video showed two men with rifles moving through the venue, while another showed a man inside the auditorium saying the assailants had set it on fire as gunshots rang out in the background.
Andrey Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and had set up a task force.
A helicopter was helping to tackle the fire at the concert venue, Tass reported.
All large-scale sporting, cultural and other public events will be cancelled in Moscow this weekend, Mr Sobyanin said.
Security measures at Moscow airports and railway stations are being increased.
“The images are just horrible,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
“Our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack. This is going to be a tough day, so our thoughts are with them.”