‘It was very chaotic’: Chinese students in Moscow share harrowing accounts of concert hall shooting

Pianist from China survives terrorist attack by hiding under seat, while another student flees after hearing what sounded like ‘firecrackers’
Terrorist group Islamic State claims responsibility for gun rampage that killed more than 130 at a music venue in Russian capital

China-Russia relations

Holly Chik

Published: 5:00pm, 24 Mar 2024

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Two Chinese students have given harrowing first-hand accounts of a terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall where more than 130 people were killed on Friday.

Four gunmen in camouflage uniforms opened fire at the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow and ignited an inferno. Terrorist group Islamic State (Isis) claimed responsibility for the attack.

A pianist from the northern province of Hebei told Chongqing-based media outlet Shangyou News that he dodged the bullets by hiding under his seat in the last row, but his local companion was killed.

“I was seated on the last row and crouched under the seat when I realised something was wrong,” the student identified only as He was quoted as saying.

“The gunmen were outside and had not yet entered the concert hall. Many audience members wanted to run for their lives. It was very chaotic,” he said.

“Some people were yelling, some wanted to run out, and some were swearing. I was very scared and did not dare to move. So I stayed under the seat.”

He said he saw the attackers armed with guns rush in.

“This was the first time in my life that I heard real gunshots.”

“Later, some people in the audience calmed down and asked everyone to lock the doors to protect themselves. After around 10 minutes, the police took control of the scene, began to evacuate the crowd and escorted us out.”

He said he was escorted back to his school early on Saturday but his friend was among the dead.

“In the early morning of 23 [March], I was sent back to school,” he said. “But I am heartbroken that my companion, a Russian girl, did not return. She was killed.”

He said his campus had closed and moved to online classes, but he would stay for now with the aim of taking part in an international piano competition.

China’s Xi condemns Moscow shooting as ‘severe terrorist attack’ in message to Putin

Chen Yiming, another Chinese student in Russia, told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN that he was outside near a mall in the concert hall area when he heard the gunshots.

“I heard sounds similar to firecrackers. But I had no idea what was happening,” he said.

“I saw a lot of people running. They told me in Russian about a shooting. I was baffled. So I followed the first batch of people and retreated to the west slope of the mall.”

Moscow attack: more than 1 Isis branch involved, Russia in its ‘crosshairs’

Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the world leaders who condemned the incident, describing it on Saturday as a “severe terrorist attack” and offering “deep and sincere condolences” to victims and their families on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

“China is against terrorism of any form. We strongly condemn terrorist attacks and firmly support the efforts of the Russian government in safeguarding national security and stability,” Xi said.

Russian authorities have arrested 11 people, including four suspected gunmen. They said the four had contacts in Ukraine and were on the way to the Ukrainian border when they were arrested.

Kyiv’s military spy agency has denied claims of Ukrainian involvement, saying they “have nothing in common with reality”.

Security analysts told the Post that it was possible that more than one branch of Isis might have perpetrated the attack.