Gunmen shoot crowd at Moscow Concert Hall, throw explosives in apparent terror attack

Several gunmen stormed a large concert hall in Moscow on Friday and fired automatic weapons into the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and starting a massive fire in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

Russian news outlets said the attackers threw explosives, sparking a massive fire at Crocus City Hall in Moscow's western edge. Video posted on social media shows huge plumes of black smoke rising above the building.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for a concert by Picnic, a famous Russian rock band, at the venue which can accommodate over 6,000 people. Russian news outlets said visitors were evacuated, but some said an unspecified number of people could have been trapped by the fire.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that at least three people in battle fatigues fired weapons. State news agency Tass also broadcast the shooting.

Extensive gunfire was heard in several videos posted by Russian media and Telegram channels. One showed two men with rifles moving through the mall. Another pointed to a man inside the auditorium, saying the attackers set the fire as gunfire rang out incessantly in the background.

More videos showed up to four assailants, armed with assault rifles and wearing beanies, shooting screaming people at close range.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and set up a task force to deal with the damage. He did not immediately provide further details.

Russian media reported that riot police units were sent to the area as people evacuated.

The attack followed a statement issued earlier this month by the US Embassy in Moscow urging Americans to avoid crowded places in the Russian capital in anticipation of an imminent attack, a warning echoed by several other Western embassies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who extended his control of Russia for another six years in a March 15-17 presidential election after a sweeping crackdown on dissent, earlier this week denounced Western warnings as an attempt to intimidate Russians.

It is not yet clear who may be behind the attack.

This story was originally published by The Associated Press.