Hostage-takers Suppressed and 140 killed

Hostage seizure by Chechen rebels that went on for four days at Moscow theater (Dom Kultur), Russia, ended with blood on 26th dawn (local time). In this siege, 140 people were killed including rebels and hostages.

Alpha members of anti-terrorism squad under Russian FSB entered the theater spreading poisonous gases and rescued hostages in 40 minutes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to the bereaved family of the victims in national speech, saying, “We have done almost an impossible task to save hundreds of hostages, however, we couldn’t save all of them”.

FSB announced, “We rescued 750 hostages but 90 of them died” and “ we shot 50 rebels such as leader Movsar Barayev and captured 3.” 18 were women among rebels and there was no loss of lives among Russia’s special forces. It is reported that two women from Holland and Kazakhstan were among 70 who were killed.

Rescued 546 hostages were transferred to hospital and most of them are in serious condition, therefore, victims are likely to increase.

Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev explained, “ As rebels warned in the dawn that they would start killing hostages, and in case rebels had burst the installed bomb in the theater, all of the hostages could have been killed, therefore we had no option but to put military power”.

Ki-Hyun Kim kimkihy@donga.com