Canada condemns 'abhorrent attacks' on Moscow concert hall

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) — Canada on Friday condemned Friday night's "abhorrent attacks" in Russia's Moscow region that targeted a concert hall and left at least 40 dead and dozens injured.

"Canada is horrified by the terrible images coming from Krasnogorsk, Moscow today. Canada condemns these abhorrent attacks," the country's Foreign Ministry said on X.

"Our hearts go out to the families of the innocent victims," the ministry added, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.

Gunmen who stormed the Crocus City Hall killed 40 people and injured over 145 others as they opened fire during a concert being held at the venue, according to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

The incident took place in Krasnogorsk, the administrative center of the Moscow region, where the music band Picnic was performing at Crocus City Hall, according to preliminary information. An explosion at the venue later also caused a large fire.

The fate of the shooters remains unknown, with reports claiming they managed to flee the scene.

After the US had said that Ukraine was not involved in Moscow concert hall attack, Russia said that "investigation" carried out too quickly, the culprits to be found by the Russian law enforcement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned "in the strongest possible terms" a deadly attack targeting a concert hall northeast of central Moscow in Russia.

Russia had criticized the organization over its earlier statement, saying the UN should be "appalled" not "saddened" over the attack.

The foreign ministries, leaders of several European, Latin American, Eurasian and Middle Eastern countries, among others, expressed their condolences to the families of those killed or injured in the attack.

The French ministry, for its part, described the images as horrific and said, also on X, that "our thoughts go to the victims and injured, and the Russian people. All the light must be shed on those heinous acts."

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said on X that the bloc was "shocked and appalled by the reports of a terrorist attack" in Moscow.

"The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected," he added. Spain also condemned "any form of violence," saying: "We are dismayed by the news coming from Russia."