KUALA LUMPUR – Leaders and governments from around the world have condemned the deadly terrorist attack at a concert hall in the Moscow region late Friday that killed at least 60 people and injured over 145 others.
India and Pakistan have condemned the attack in Moscow, calling it heinous and horrendous, Bernama reported.
“We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
“We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow. We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The two countries also expressed solidarity with Russia and its people.
Anadolu Agency reported that Eurasian leaders condemned the attack, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressing condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, said a statement released by the Belarusian presidency.
“In this hour of sorrow, I wish courage and perseverance to the families and friends of the victims to survive the irreparable loss, as well as a speedy recovery to all those affected,” Lukashenko was quoted.
President Ilham Aliyev said in a letter addressed to Putin that Azerbaijan was “deeply shocked” by news of the attack and he “strongly condemned this act of terrorism”.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said his country condemned the shooting and blast and urged UN member states to reject violence against innocent citizens.
A statement by the Kazakh presidential press service, Akorda, said Tokayev instructed law enforcement agencies to assist Russian law enforcement agencies if necessary, according to Anadolu Agency.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also conveyed condolences to Putin and said Tashkent condemned “this terrorist act against civilians.”
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov condemned the shooting in a statement by his office on Facebook, declaring his country’s support for “efforts aimed at effectively combating this evil, and stand for uniting the efforts of the world community in the fight against international terrorism.”
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed that Yerevan strongly condemned the shooting in a telegram to Putin, which was published by his office.
Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a telephone call had conveyed condolences to his Russian counterpart Lavrov over the deadly attack, condemning it as a “heinous terrorist attack” according to Anadolu.
Japan on Saturday “firmly condemned” the attack, with its Foreign Ministry in a statement said:
“Japan extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured”.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned “in the strongest possible terms” a deadly attack.
“The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s terrorist attack at a concert hall outside Moscow, in which at least 40 people were reportedly killed and over 100 others injured,” deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement.
He said Guterres expressed his “deep condolences” to Russia and wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
Many Arab countries, reported dpa news, condemned the Friday terrorist attack, and the United Arab Emirates, in a statement, expressed its strong condemnation “of these criminal acts” and “its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilise security and stability and are inconsistent with international law”.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced the attack and offered its condolences to the families of the dead and the government and people of Russia. It also stressed the importance of fighting and combating all forms of extremism and terrorism.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its full solidarity with Russia. while the Palestinian Presidency also condemned the attack and affirmed its solidarity and support for Russia.
Syria condemned the attack and stressed “the importance of concerted world efforts to confront these massacres and hold their perpetrators and the forces and countries behind them accountable.”
In Tehran, IRNA reported that Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly condemned a deadly terror attack. Kanaani offered condolences to the government and people of Russia, particularly the families of the victims.
He said Iran stands by Russia in the face of this tragic incident.
Jordan’s Foreign and Expatriates Ministry’s spokesperson Ambassador Sufian Qudah, expressed the kingdom’s sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He also expressed Jordan’s solidarity with Russia in this tragedy and its total rejection and denunciation of this cowardly terrorist act that targeted innocent civilians, according to the Kingdom’s news agency, Petra.
The attack in Krasnogorsk, the administrative centre of the Moscow region, took place as the music band Piknik was performing in the Crocus City Hall, according to preliminary information. The band was not injured in the attack, said law enforcement agencies.
An explosion was reported after the attack that caused a large fire that was later localised at the venue.
The Emergency Ministry said about one-third of the building was engulfed in flames, with several helicopters working to extinguish the blaze.
The fate of the attackers remains unknown, with some reports claiming they managed to flee the scene.
Russia’s Investigative Committee announced it launched an investigation into the “terrorist attack,” while Moscow’s special envoy for Ukraine said Russia will request a meeting of the UN Security Council. – March 24, 2024