Mass shooting kills over 100 at Moscow concert, 11 suspects arrested

The Russian authorities have arrested 11 people, including four suspected gunmen, in connection with a shooting rampage that killed at least 115 people in a concert hall near Moscow.

The Kremlin said FSB security service chief Alexander Bortnikov had reported to President Vladimir Putin that those detained included "four terrorists" and that the service was working to identify their accomplices.

Russia's Investigative Committee said the death toll had leapt to 115 from the attack in which camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at concertgoers near the capital on Friday (March 22) night.

Russian lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein said the attackers had fled in a Renault vehicle that was spotted by police in Bryansk region, about 340 km southwest of Moscow and disobeyed instructions to stop.

He said two were arrested after a car chase and two others fled into a forest. From the Kremlin account, it appeared they too were later detained.

Khinshtein said a pistol, a magazine for an assault rifle, and passports from Tajikistan were found in the car. Tajikistan is a mainly Muslim Central Asian state that used to be part of the Soviet Union.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004.

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Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov said the rescue searching the concert hall would last for "several days."

The shooting took place on Friday evening at Crocus City Hall, a concert venue just west of Moscow where a Soviet-era rock band was due to perform.

Verified video showed people taking their seats in the hall, then rushing for the exits as repeated gunfire echoed above screams. Other video showed men shooting at groups of people. 

HOW THE WORLD HAS REACTED:

China's Foreign Ministry: "China is deeply shocked by the heavy casualties inflicted by the severe terrorist attack in Moscow. We express deep condolences to the victims and extend sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved. 

"China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability."

EU spokesperson: "The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned "the terrible terrorist attack against innocent spectators at a concert. Our thoughts are with the victims' families and all those wounded."

French President Emmanuel Macron said he "strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State. France expresses its solidarity with the victims, their loved ones and all the Russian people."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms," ​and conveyed his "deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation."

UK foreign minister David Cameron: "We offer our heartfelt condolences and express our deepest sympathy to the families of the many victims. Nothing can ever justify such horrific violence."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable. Firm and total condemnation of the Italian government for this heinous act of terrorism."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief."

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby: "Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack. The images are just horrible and just hard to watch."

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