Eurasian leaders condemn concert hall attack in Russia's Moscow region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) — Leaders of Eurasian countries condemned a late Friday attack targeting a concert hall in Russia's Moscow region, killing 40 people and injuring over 140 others, according to preliminary information.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed condolences to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, said a statement released by the Belarusian presidency after the incident that Moscow described as a "terrorist attack" at the Crocus City Hall in the city of Krasnogorsk.

"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 further quoted as saying.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a letter addressed to Putin that they were "deeply shocked" by news of the attack on the concert hall, saying he "strongly condemned this act of terrorism."

Elsewhere, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said his country condemned the shooting and blast, calling on UN member states to reject violence against innocent citizens.

A statement by the Kazakh presidential press service Akorda further said Tokayev instructed law enforcement agencies to provide assistance to Russian law enforcement agencies if necessary.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also conveyed his condolences to Putin and said Tashkent condemned "this terrorist act against civilians."

Separately, 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."

Moldova's Embassy in Moscow likewise condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the relatives and loved ones of those killed and injured, said a statement by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry.

The incident took place in Krasnogorsk, the administrative center of the Moscow region, where the music band Picnic was performing in the Crocus City Hall, according to preliminary information.

An explosion was also later reported at the venue, causing a large fire. The country's Emergency Ministry said that about a third of the building was engulfed in flames, with several helicopters working to extinguish the blaze.