White House: US has alerted Russia to a potential terror strike on “large gatherings”

WASHINGTON: Hours after a mass shooting outside the Russian capital left at least sixty people dead, the White House said on Friday that the United States had alerted Russian authorities earlier in March about a terrorist plot that may have targeted “large gatherings” in Moscow.

According to National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, “earlier this month, the US government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow, potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts,” and Washington “shared this information with Russian authorities.”

The assault on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall was attributed to the Islamic State organisation on Saturday. Over sixty people lost their lives in the incident, while 145 more were wounded.
The organisation claimed that IS members “attacked a large gathering… on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow” in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app, according to AFP.
Russian news sources claim that the attackers threw explosives, starting a big fire in the hall that could hold 6,000 people. The structure was seen on fire in outside footage, and a substantial cloud of smoke was seen rising into the night sky. The blue lights of many fire engines, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles flashed, lighting up the roadway.
Following a gunshot and fire breakout on Friday, emergency officials reported that over 100 people were evacuated from the basement of a performance theatre in Moscow. Help is in progress for those who are attempting to take shelter on the roof.