Bomb attack kills three at Moscow restaurant – antiterrorism committee

An improvised explosive device has killed three people and wounded 21 others at a restaurant in central Moscow, Russia’s National Antiterrorism Committee (NAC) has said.

The explosion struck the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant near Kudrinskaya Square at around 7:55pm on Saturday. According to the NAC, an unidentified woman attempted to carry a homemade explosive device into the restaurant but was stopped at the entrance by a security guard.

The woman and the guard were killed in the explosion, along with one of the restaurant’s patrons. The wounded sustained injuries of varying severity and were receiving medical assistance, officials said.

Witnesses described a powerful blast followed by scenes of panic as bloodied patrons fled the building.

“I ran out onto the street and saw people rushing out of the area in their best clothes and women running barefoot... They were holding their shoes in their hands. Men were supporting them,” a local resident told RT’s Farida Singatoulina at the scene. The witness said one man emerged wearing only a vest that appeared to be stained with blood, while ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles converged on the site.

Other witnesses said the blast could be heard from surrounding apartment buildings and restaurants. One person who was walking approximately 30 to 50 meters away said the explosion was so loud that passers-by instinctively covered their ears.

Videos from the scene showed police officers and members of Russia’s National Guard Service, Rosgvardia, cordoning off the surrounding streets as firefighters and medical personnel worked at the site. Investigators and forensic experts remained there late into the evening.

The explosion also disrupted a nighttime cycling event scheduled to pass through central Moscow. Roads around the square were closed, forcing cyclists to turn around, while some residents were temporarily unable to reach a nearby residential complex.

The Russian Investigative Committee said investigators and forensic experts were examining the scene. Officials have not identified the suspected attacker or disclosed a possible motive.