International

Russia detains 11 people as death toll from Moscow attack rises to 93

Russian officials say 93 people have been killed by assailants who burst into a concert hall in western Moscow and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, CNN reports.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on affiliated channels on social media.

The attack was the deadliest in Russia in years and left the concert hall in flames and with a collapsing roof.

The head of Russia's Federal Security Service told Putin on Saturday that four people directly involved in the attack were among 11 people detained, Russian state news agency Tass said.

At least three children were among the 93 people killed, Russian authorities said Saturday.

Photos showed the Crocus City Music Hall engulfed in flames as videos emerged from the concert hall attack, showing at least four gunmen opening fire from automatic weapons as panicked Russians fled for their lives.

In one video, three men in fatigues carrying rifles fired at point blank range into bodies strewn about the lobby of the concert hall. The attackers also apparently detonated explosives, as the the sounds of blasts could be heard in other videos from the attack.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a “great tragedy.” At least 50 ambulances had been dispatched to the site of the attack.

“The attackers presumably opened fire at the entrance to the building during a concert, using automatic weapons, and then a fire began in the building,” said emergency services. Authorities said that up to five people took part in the attack.

Russian media reports said that riot police units were sent to the area as people were being evacuated.

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