International community condemns terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow

On Friday, 22 March, terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in the Russian city of Krasnogorsk. There was an explosion and a fire started in the building. Emergency services arrived at the scene and people were evacuated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed citizens in connection with the terrorist attack. He thanked the rescuers, firefighters and all citizens who did not remain indifferent and, along with doctors and members of special services, provided first aid and transported people to hospitals. 

The victims continue to receive medical and psychological assistance. According to the latest official data, 144 people have died. The President declared 24 March as a national day of mourning.

Words of support to the Russians come from all over the world. The leaders of the BRICS countries were among the first to express their condolences.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.

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

Narendra Modi Indian Prime Minister

The Russian Embassy in China received a telegram from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I was shocked by the news of a serious terrorist attack on a concert hall in the Moscow Region, which resulted in a large number of casualties. I would like to express deep condolences for the victims and extend sympathies to the injured and the families of those killed"

Xi Jinping Chinese President

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud also sent telegrams of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin:

"We have learnt about the terrorist attack that took place in the Moscow region, as well as the dead and wounded as a result of it. We condemn this disgraceful criminal act and also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded."

Iran also reacted to the incident. In a message to Putin, President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

“I strongly condemn the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, expressing sympathy with the families of the victims. I offer condolences to my colleague Sergey Lavrov, and the Russian people and government over the bitter incident,” Hossein Amirabdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran wrote.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack.

"The Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall and expressed condolences to the Russian government and Russians," a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry read. 

The terrorist act was also condemned in the UN. The corresponding official statement was made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The UN Security Council stressed the need to bring to justice the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of the terrorist attack.

After what happened in "Crocus City Hall," the call for an international fight against terrorism has already united more than 45 countries of the world. Among them are Belarus, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Ecuador, France, Argentina, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia.

"Venezuela extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this criminal and unjustifiable act and expresses its solidarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his government and all the brotherly people of the Russian Federation. We are confident that together they will survive this bitter moment"

Nicolas Maduro President of Venezuela

"The Bolivarian government is pursuing a 'diplomacy of peace' and reaffirms its commitment to the fight against all forms of violence, terrorism, intolerance and hate speech, which are becoming increasingly common in various international platforms," the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry emphasised.

Photo: iStock/ Prensa Latina