4 Arrested In The Moscow Attack, Death Toll Rises To 133

The head of Russia’s FSB has reportedly informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that four people have been arrested in connection to the Moscow terror attack at Crocus City Hall.

The gunmen were arrested near Russia’s western border with Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.

Seven others have also been detained and authorities are still searching for other accomplices, the news outlets added.

Russian media outlets posted unverified photos of a car that allegedly belonged to some of the attackers near Russia’s western border and a Russian MP said at least two suspects were detained after a car chase and a shootout, though neither of these have been verified or confirmed by Russian authorities, ABC News reported.

The death toll as a result of the terrorist attack has increased to 133 on Saturday, the Investigative Committee confirmed, adding that the search for bodies under the rubble is on going. Authorities earlier said the toll could rise significantly.

121 people have been hospitalized. 80 still remain in hospitals, 13 are in an extremely serious condition and 25 remain in a serious condition.

Authorities say the causes of death were gunshot wounds and poisoning by smoke products.

“The terrorists used automatic weapons during the attack, which, along with the ammunition they left behind, were discovered and seized by the investigators,” it added.

The terrorists also used flammable liquid to set fire to the premises of the concert hall, where there were spectators, including the wounded”, the statement said.

Putin has responded about the Moscow concert hall terror attack, promising to exact “retribution” on anyone involved in it.

“According to the preliminary data, they had a crossing of the border prepared from the Ukrainian side,” Putin said.

Ukrainian officials last night vehemently denied any involvement and warned the Kremlin will try to exploit the attack by falsely blaming Ukraine to drum up greater support for its war.

Putin’s comments followed several by some leading Kremlin figures directly accusing Ukraine and western countries of being behind the attack, despite the ISIS claim.

The U.S. said it shared intelligence with Russia warning that ISIS was preparing similar attacks on concerts in Moscow just two weeks ago.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a warning on March 7, advising U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings for 48 hours, saying extremists have “imminent plans” to target large-scale gatherings in Moscow.

“The United States strongly condemns yesterday’s deadly terrorist attack in Moscow,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Saturday. “We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event.”