At least 4o people were declared dead after a gunman attacked a packed concert venue that was situated on the outskirts of Moscow.

According to reports from local media outlets, the death toll is expected to rise further as more casualties are feared.

Hundreds of people were hurt after gunmen stormed the concert venue wearing camouflage uniforms and opened fire using automated weapons at those in the concert arena. The exact location was identified recently as the Crocus City Hall on Friday.

Many referred to this as one of the worst attacks in Russia’s history to arise in years. And at least five masked men were seen firing repetitively at screaming civilians inside the hall. This is where a famous Soviet-era rock band called Picnic was gearing up to perform at about 8 pm local time.

Giant flames leaped into the sky and huge plumes of black smoke filled right above the same location. Meanwhile, hundreds of emergency blue lights were seen flashing into the night sky as fear and panic gripped the air.

Helicopters were called in to douse the flames while 100 people were immediately evacuated from the basement as reported by the Russian media recently. Both cops and special forces, alongside 70 ambulances were seen on the ground, attending to those who had been injured as dozens lay in giant pools of blood right outside the hall.