Russian investigators reconstruct the Crocus Theatre terrorist attack.
(Baonghean.vn) - The Russian news agency TASS reported on March 26 that Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Russian Investigative Committee, said that more than 130 people injured in the terrorist attack on the Crocus Theatre in Moscow have been questioned by investigators.
Speaking at a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Bastrykin said: “Up to 160 forensic and genetic examinations have been and are being conducted to identify those who died and the cause of death. A total of 131 people were injured in the terrorist attack and more than 500 witnesses have been questioned.”
According to Bastrykin, witness evidence indicates that the fire in the auditorium was caused by the attackers pouring gasoline on the seats and walls and then setting them on fire.
Mr. Bastrykin also added that the Russian Investigative Committee has reconstructed the timeline of the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall theater in Moscow. He said: "Investigators have established a complete timeline of the attack."
According to investigators, four criminals arrived at Crocus City Hall in a Renault at 7:54 p.m. Moscow time (4:54 a.m. GMT). At 7:58 p.m. Moscow time, the terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons on people outside the building. They then entered Crocus City Hall, shooting at anyone nearby, regardless of gender or age.
Bastrykin stated: “Using gasoline from plastic bottles they were carrying, they set the building on fire and left at 8:11 p.m. Moscow time. Initial investigations indicate that the terrorist attack was meticulously planned.”
The attack lasted for approximately 17 minutes.
"As the car sped out of the parking lot, it struck several pedestrians – including a family with two young children. The children were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital," he said.
On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall, a venue for music performances in Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, just outside Moscow. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the current death toll is 139, but this could rise. The Moscow regional health agency reported that 182 people were injured.
Eleven suspected of involvement in the terrorist attack have been arrested, including four gunmen who were detained in the Bryansk region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to cross the nearby Ukrainian border to seek refuge.
President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that, according to preliminary information, Ukraine had prepared "a window" at the border specifically for terrorists to cross undetected. Putin promised to identify and punish all those behind the attack on the Crocus Theatre.
