It is the deadliest attack in Russia in nearly 20 years. The terrorist attack against the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Moscow cost the lives of at least 133 people when camouflaged men opened fire on the visitors.
In the aftermath of the attack, several stories of heroes who saved people from certain death have begun to emerge. One of them is Islam, 15, as it Russian news channel Mash reports on.
Unexpected hero during the terrorist attack
Islam worked extra in the wardrobe during the evening and on weekdays he plays football in Spartak Moscow’s youth team and goes to school.
When the teenager saw more than 100 panicked people start running in the wrong direction, he took matters into his own hands. Islam led the people, who were on their way to a cul-de-sac with toilets, to safety through a narrow passage and out into the street.
– I was just doing my job. It is better that you yourself die in battle than that you let others die, he tells the Telegram channel Mash.
Evacuated the panicked visitors
In videos circulating on social media, the men who shot dead the concertgoers in cold blood are seen shouting Islamic slogans. The terrorist organization IS has claimed responsibility.
At the same time as the shots were fired inside the premises and a huge fire broke out, the young Islam did not hesitate to evacuate the terrified people. “Here, here,” he is heard shouting in a video published by the Telegram channel Mash.
He also says that those working during the evening had received clear instructions on how to act in the event of an emergency.
– I just followed them, says Islam.