Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Moscow concert hall

Islamic State on Friday claimed responsibility for an attack on a concert hall in Moscow that left at least 40 people dead and more than 100 civilians injured.

The group claimed responsibility in a statement Friday night. sitean intelligence group.

Russia’s Ministry of Health released a list of 145 injured. Associated Press It was reported early Friday.

According to reports, the United States has gathered information that the Afghanistan-based Islamic State Khorasan (also known as ISIS-K) affiliate is planning an attack on the Russian capital Moscow. new york timessaid a US official.

According to U.S. counterterrorism officials quoted by the Times, the Islamic State group wants to step up its attacks.

Video footage from the Crocus City Hall music venue showed at least three gunmen wearing camouflage uniforms shooting people with automatic weapons. Explosives were also set off during the attack, causing flames to rain down on the building and causing the roof to collapse.

Russian rock band Picnic was scheduled to perform at the venue, which can accommodate more than 6,000 people. According to the Associated Press, Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the shooting incident.

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said the attack left at least 115 people hospitalized, including five children, and several others were treated and released, according to the Times. Murashko said 60 adult patients are in critical condition.

More than 50 ambulances, firefighters and law enforcement were on the scene.

According to the Associated Press, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack was a “huge tragedy” and was currently under investigation.

White House Press Secretary John Kirby said the footage was “difficult to watch” but added there was no evidence that Ukraine was involved in the attack.

“The images are simply horrific. It’s just painful to look at, and obviously our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific, horrific shooting,” Kirby said Friday. “At this time, there is no indication that Ukraine or Ukrainian nationals were involved in the shooting.”

Updated at 7:34pm ET.