Death toll in Moscow terror attack rises to 133

The death toll in the terror attack in Moscow's Crocus City Hall has risen to 133, the Russian emergencies ministry said on Sunday. According to the ministry, 152 people have been injured in the incident, CNN reported. Moscow region governor Andrey Vorobyov said the kin of the deceased will receive $32,500 (roughly Rs 27 lakh) each.

Russian security service (FSB) director Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Vladimir Putin that 11 people have been detained in connection with the attack on the Crocus complex near Moscow on Friday, according to Russian state media.

The US had warned Russia about the possible terror attack, which was reportedly rejected by President Putin, terming it as "provocative". All four terrorists directly involved in the attack are among those detained, state-owned Russian news agency TASS reported. It also claimed the assailants had "contacts on the Ukrainian side".

Following a preliminary inspection, an investigating committee said the terrorists used automatic weapons, along with ammunition that they had left behind in the concert hall. The committee added that ballistic, genetic and fingerprint examinations are being carried out. It has also been established that the attackers used flammable liquids to start a fire on the premises, it said.

The mall was attacked at around 8.00 pm (local time) on Friday, just as a concert by popular rock band Piknik was about to begin at the music venue, causing chaos, RT reported. The assailants targeted fleeing concert-goers, and videos of the scene showed bodies strewn like litter. The assailants also reportedly lobbed hand grenades and used incendiaries to set the building on fire.

The terrorist attack has drawn worldwide condemnation. UK foreign secretary David Cameron said, "We offer our heartfelt condolences and express our deepest sympathy to the families of the many victims."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the terrorist attack, and said: "We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief."

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The Indian National Congress strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist attack on innocent people in Moscow. Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity and peace."

The US has also condemned the attack, describing it as a "terrible incident", while Sri Lanka said, "Such acts of violence against civilians are abhorrent and have no place in civilised society. The government and the people of Sri Lanka extend their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the government of Russia at this time of grief."

Pakistan condemned the "horrendous" attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow, the Pakistani foreign ministry said. "We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims," the ministry said in a late-night statement.

Russia's foreign ministry called the shooting a "terrorist attack" and urged the entire world community to condemn it.