A 15-year-old is being called a hero for reportedly leading more than 100 people to safety during the terrorist attack at a Moscow-area concert hall on Friday.
Islam Khalilov was working in a cloakroom at the Crocus City Hall venue when four gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons. At least 133 people were killed in the attack and fire that was set to the building.
Amid the bloodshed, the boy helped guide terrified people to the venue's emergency exits, the Daily Mail reported.
"At first we heard some strange sounds on the first floor. We thought maybe some noisy group had come," he told the paper.
Then he saw concertgoers running in a panic.
A video showed Khalilov guiding the fleeing crowd to safety via an emergency stairway.
"I understood that if I didn't react, I would lose my life and the lives of many people," he said. "Honestly, it was very scary."
He shouted for people to follow him, according to the Daily Mail.
Khalilov said he was worried the attackers would start shooting or throw a grenade at him as he was in the crowd.
"Thank God, nothing happened," he said. "I managed to open the door in time and let everyone out towards the Expo."
In a separate interview with Russian news outet RT he said, "I did not leave anyone behind."
‘I did not leave anyone behind’
— Ed Husain (@Ed_Husain) March 24, 2024
‘I was doing my job’
His name is Islam Khalilov.
A Muslim who saved lives in Russia:
pic.twitter.com/t5xgnv6h8E
The teen is still reportedly trying to come to grips with the experience, including seeing one man gunned down in front of him before leading the escape.
"That all this happened before my eyes," he said. "To be honest, I'm still in a state of shock."
He is expected to be honored by Russian law enforcement for his heroism.
An offshoot of the Islamic State terror group, ISIS-K, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
