Kolobok
10-26-2002, 05:03 AM
Russian security forces have brought a sudden and dramatic end to the three-day siege in a Moscow theatre, where hundreds of people were being held hostage by Chechen rebels.The head of the Russian security service, Nikolai Patrushev, said 34 Chechen rebels were killed in the raid and a number of others were arrested. He said none had escaped.
But 67 hostages were also killed during the rescue operation, Russian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev has said. He said more than 750 had been saved. Earlier reports suggested that no more than 10 of the hostages had died.Nearly 350 hostages were taken to hospital, many in a serious condition, the French news agency AFP quoted medical sources as saying.Most of the casualties were suffering from severe gas poisoning. Troops had released sleeping gas into the theatre to subdue the rebels before they stormed the complex at about 0600 local time (0200 GMT). The rebel leader, Movsar Barayev, was among those who died in a fierce gun battle between the rebels and hundreds of the heavily-armed special forces. Some of the hostages had tried to escape after the rebels shot two of their captives and injured at least two others.In the ensuing panic, the hostages inadvertently set off booby traps laid in the theatre by the rebels.
Russian special forces then rushed to their aid, engaging in a pitched gun battle which lasted more than an hour.
About two hours after the raid, the Russian television channel ORT showed pictures of the theatre strewn with bodies, some severely mutilated, others with their heads down as if they had passed out.
Officials said none of the special forces had been killed or injured in the operation.
"We succeeded in preventing mass deaths and the collapse of the building which we had been threatened with," said Russian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev.
Our correspondent said the hostages looked shocked and terrified as they emerged. A number of hostages were brought out unconscious, ORT reported. For some time after securing the theatre, troops searched the extensive building for any remaining attackers and explosives.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2363475.stm
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As u see Guys,Russian forces succed the operation,yes it's terrible loosing 67,but could've been more....
Sencerely Urs
Kolobo4ek.
But 67 hostages were also killed during the rescue operation, Russian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev has said. He said more than 750 had been saved. Earlier reports suggested that no more than 10 of the hostages had died.Nearly 350 hostages were taken to hospital, many in a serious condition, the French news agency AFP quoted medical sources as saying.Most of the casualties were suffering from severe gas poisoning. Troops had released sleeping gas into the theatre to subdue the rebels before they stormed the complex at about 0600 local time (0200 GMT). The rebel leader, Movsar Barayev, was among those who died in a fierce gun battle between the rebels and hundreds of the heavily-armed special forces. Some of the hostages had tried to escape after the rebels shot two of their captives and injured at least two others.In the ensuing panic, the hostages inadvertently set off booby traps laid in the theatre by the rebels.
Russian special forces then rushed to their aid, engaging in a pitched gun battle which lasted more than an hour.
About two hours after the raid, the Russian television channel ORT showed pictures of the theatre strewn with bodies, some severely mutilated, others with their heads down as if they had passed out.
Officials said none of the special forces had been killed or injured in the operation.
"We succeeded in preventing mass deaths and the collapse of the building which we had been threatened with," said Russian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev.
Our correspondent said the hostages looked shocked and terrified as they emerged. A number of hostages were brought out unconscious, ORT reported. For some time after securing the theatre, troops searched the extensive building for any remaining attackers and explosives.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2363475.stm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As u see Guys,Russian forces succed the operation,yes it's terrible loosing 67,but could've been more....
Sencerely Urs
Kolobo4ek.