Russia rocked by gun attack on rock concert; 60 dead, over 145 hurt

Russia said that the death toll from the gunmen's attack on a Moscow concert hall had risen to over 60 people, surpassing the previously reported figure of 40, according to Russian news agencies.

"The bodies of the deceased are currently being examined. It is provisionally established that more than 60 people died in the terrorist attack. Unfortunately, the number of victims could rise," said the Investigative Committee on Saturday.

Furthermore, as per Al Jazeera, more than 145 people are said to have been injured — of which over 60 are in critical condition — during the attack.

Daesh accepted the responsibility for the attack. Issuing a statement on its its Telegram account, the terrorist outfit said, "Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely."

The attackers entered the Crocus City Hall concert venue situated in the Krasnogorsk suburb of Moscow and opened fire on the crowd. The building caught fire after gunmen hurled grenades, according to reports.  

"People who were in the hall were led on the ground to protect themselves from the shooting for 15 or 20 minutes," a journalist associated with the RIA Novosti said. 

Video footage captured flames engulfing the hall and thick smoke billowing into the air. Emergency service personnel quickly arrived at the scene and evacuated many concert-goers to safety.  

Soon after the attack was reported, emergency services swung into action. They orchestrated evacuations and extinguished the blaze that had engulfed a significant portion of the venue. 

According to eyewitnesses and police, personnel of the emergency services made heroic efforts to rescue those trapped inside the building. Some others sought safety on the roof or in the basement.

An investigation has been launched to determine the motive behind the attack and identify the perpetrators.

The Russian government said that the attack was an act of terrorism. President Vladimir Putin has been directly informed of the developing situation.

Terming the attack a "bloody terrorist attack" on Russia, the country's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram, "The whole international community must condemn this odious crime."

World leaders have expressed their strong condemnation of the violence with calls for solidarity and justice echoing around the globe. 

Many described scrambling for cover on the floor, desperately seeking protection from the gunfire. After the situation was clear, frightened survivors cautiously emerged from hiding. 

"There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said while talking to reporters in Washington.