The attack began at around 20:00 MSK (UTC+3), shortly before the Russian band Picnic was scheduled to play a sold-out show at the venue. Four gunmen carried out a mass shooting, as well as slashing attacks[3] on the people gathered at the venue, and used incendiary devices to set the venue on fire.[16][17][18] Investigators said the attack had killed 145 people (including those who died later in hospital), and more than 551 concertgoers were injured by gunshot wounds and fire-related injuries.[19][20][18] On 28 March, Russian authorities also claimed that a further 95 people were missing.[21]
IS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement through the IS-affiliated Amaq News Agency shortly after the attack, with its regional branch in the Afghanistan–Pakistan border region, Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS–KP or ISIS-K), most likely being responsible.[22][23][17] Amaq also published a video filmed by one of the attackers. It showed the attackers shooting victims and slitting the throat of a victim, while the filming attacker was reciting the takbir, praising God and speaking against infidels.[3][18]
Russian president Vladimir Putin called the attack a "barbaric terrorist act" and said that the gunmen had been arrested.[24] He also declared 24 March 2024 to be a national day of mourning,[16] and sought to link assailants to Ukraine.[16][25]Russia's Foreign Ministry called the incident a terrorist attack.[26] It was the deadliest terrorist attack on Russian soil since the Beslan school siege in 2004 and the Domodedovo International Airport bombing in 2011.[27][28] Investigators detained 12 people in relation to the attack,[29] including four suspects, who were charged with terrorism later on 24 March.[30][14][15]
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