Russia announced on Saturday that it had apprehended 11 individuals, including four assailants, in connection with the devastating attack at a concert hall in Moscow. The death toll is said to have risen to 115 and is feared to rise further.
The attack, which occurred on Friday evening and was claimed by the Islamic State, has resulted in the deadliest toll in Moscow in at least 10 years.
Russian authorities said at least 115 people were killed in Friday's attack, warning the death toll was likely to continue rising. "The emergency services have found more bodies while removing the rubble. The death toll now stands at 115 people," Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said in a statement.
According to the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin was briefed by the head of the FSB security service, Alexander Bortnikov, regarding the arrests made in relation to the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.
"FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov reported to the president on the detention of 11 people, including four terrorists involved in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall," it said in a statement.
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The investigative committee added that people have died from both gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation after a fire engulfed the packed venue in Moscow's northern Krasnogorsk suburb.
According to Al-Jazeera journalist Yulia Shapovalova, at least 187 people, including eight children, have also been injured.
According to Russia's TASS state news agency, Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's security council and a significant ally of President Putin, stated that the Moscow attack demonstrates the gravity of the terrorism threat to Russia. He further stated that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable, according to TASS.
According to Russia's Interfax news agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has stated that the attackers of the concert hall attack in Moscow were on their way to the Ukrainian border when they were captured. The FSB further stated that the suspects "had contacts" inside Ukraine, as reported by Interfax.
In response to the attack in Moscow, Ukraine's presidential advisor had earlier declared that "Ukraine had absolutely nothing to do with these events."
