Nord-Ost in 2002, Beslan in 2004, Moscow Metro in 2010... To this macabre list of the bloodiest attacks and hostage-takings committed in Russia in the 21^st century has just been added the name of Crocus City Hall, a Moscow concert hall stormed early in the evening of Friday, March 22, by terrorists determined to kill as many spectators as possible.

The latest death toll, released by the Russian authorities on Saturday morning, was at least 115, including several children. This figure could still rise, as at least a hundred people were hospitalized in the capital's hospitals, and ambulances and vans continued to evacuate body bags from the scene of the attack as dawn broke.

According to a statement claiming responsibility issued by this organization in the evening, the attack was carried out by the Islamic State group in Khorasan (IS-K) organization, a branch of IS based in Afghanistan, which has threatened Russia in the past.

Messages of solidarity and condolence were sent by dozens of countries. Vladimir Putin, who has just been re-elected president, has yet to officially comment. Via Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, he said he "wished everyone a speedy recovery and convey[ed] his gratitude to the doctors."

Eyewitness accounts and numerous videos published on social media and by the Russian media offer a clear picture of the massacre at Crocus City Hall, a huge exhibition center and 6,200-seat concert hall in the satellite town of Krasnogorsk, on the outskirts of Moscow. A concert by the band Piknik, veterans of the Russian rock scene, was due to start at 8 pm local time.

The terrorists burst in a few minutes before the start of the event, while spectators were still queuing to enter the hall. They began firing immediately as they got out of their cars, onto the sidewalk and then into the main hall.

'They were shooting at everyone'

The images show at least four men, well-prepared and dressed in military fatigues, methodically gunning down anyone in their path with short bursts of automatic weaponry. According to several sources, the security guards were armed only with batons and Tasers. We hid behind a billboard," said one of them. They were shooting at everyone, including the people on the ground."

Shots were then fired at the crowd waiting at the entrance, then at spectators already seated in seats inside the auditorium. After the first moments of disbelief, witnesses reported violent jostling and panic, but also heroism: An audience member reportedly managed to disarm and stun an assailant on stage, enabling dozens of people to flee.

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