Horrific videos show the moment gunmen burst into a big concert hall on the edge of Moscow on Friday and sprayed visitors with automatic gunfire.

       At least 40 people were killed and 100 injured, according to preliminary information from the Federal Security Service in Russia, as per state media TASS.

       The attack comes days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

       There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the raid, the worst terror attack in Russia in two decades which came as the fighting in Ukraine dragged into a third year.

       Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as a “huge tragedy.”

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       Russian news reports said that the assailants threw explosives, triggering a blaze at the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow.

       Videos posted on social media showed plumes of black smoke billowing over the building.

       The attack took place during concert by well-known Russian rock band Picnic, at the hall which can accommodate over 6,000 people.

       Around 100 people were evacuated from the building by firefighters.

       Rescuers are continuing to get people off the roof, the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation said.

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       The prosecutor’s office said several men dressed in combat fatigues entered the concert before firing at visitors.

       Extended rounds of gunfire could be heard on multiple videos posted by Russian media and Telegram channels, as well as on X, formerly Twitter.

       Chilling footage appeared to show lifeless bodies on the floor as concertgoes ran for their lives.

       Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and set up a task force to deal with the damage. He didn’t immediately offer any further details.

       Sobyanin said on Telegram that all sports, cultural and other public events in Moscow this weekend would be cancelled.

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