Pictures from the scene show how people dressed in camouflage opened fire outside the concert venue, which is adjacent to a shopping mall. State news agency Ria Novosti states that at least three perpetrators started shooting. AFP reports that the terrorist group IS is claiming responsibility for the deed.
Several usually well-informed news sources in Russia, including independent media, are reporting many dead and injured – at least 40 people are said to have died.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a statement that “a great tragedy” had occurred and that his thoughts were with the dead and their families.
Both the independent Russian news agency Baza and Ria Novosti report that an explosion was heard and that a major fire broke out in the property in Krasnogorsk in western Moscow.
According to the Tass news agency, many people are still inside the premises.