Shooting and fire break out in Moscow's Crocus City Hall, with reports of injuries and deaths

A shooting has broken out in the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Moscow, Telegram channels report, citing eyewitnesses. Baza reports that an unknown man opened fire with an automatic rifle.

According to preliminary reports, there are dead. The incident took place before the start of the Picnic band's concert.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunfire was heard simultaneously on both the upper and lower floors.

A video with the first seconds of what happened was published. The video shows two armed men.

It is reported that a fire broke out in the concert hall, which led to a partial collapse of the roof.

According to Baza, about 100 people may have remained in the Crocus. Some of them could have taken refuge on the ground floor, while others were cut off by the fire on the fourth floor. Firefighters cannot start extinguishing and rescuing as they are waiting for special forces.

Earlier, the media reported that more than 10 people were killed in a shooting in Moscow before a concert by the band Picnic at the Crocus City Hall. According to media reports, 12 people were killed and 35 injured.

It is reported that at least three people in camouflage broke into the Crocus City Hall and opened fire with automatic weapons. The attackers threw a grenade or a petrol bomb, which started a fire, witnesses said. A third of the Crocus City Hall building is on fire.

TASS, citing the Emergency Situations Ministry, reported that firefighters had evacuated about 100 people from Crocus City Hall and were rescuing people from the roof. At the same time, there are people waiting for help on the roof of Crocus City Hall

Doctors are taking the bodies of the dead out of the Crocus, according to journalists, it is about dozens of people who have died.

Preliminary, four terrorists managed to escape from the crime scene.

Meanwhile, special forces began to storm the concert hall.

Moscow Mayor Sobyanin said that all sporting, cultural and other mass events in the city were cancelled over the weekend after the terrorist attack.

As reported, on 8 March, a number of foreign countries warned of the possibility of terrorist attacks in Russia. Among them, in particular, were the UK, Latvia, South Korea, Sweden and Canada. This happened after the US Embassy in Russia reported that terrorist attacks could take place in Moscow in the next two days:

"The Embassy is following reports that extremists are planning to attack major events in Moscow, including concerts. US citizens are advised to avoid large gatherings for the next 48 hours. Actions to take: avoid crowds, follow local media news, and be aware of your surroundings," the US diplomatic mission said in a statement.