Russian Theater Hostage Crisis

[Gwion]

All but two of the 117 people killed amid an assault to end a hostage standoff were killed due to the effects of knockout gas, the head Moscow city doctor said Sunday.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/824951.asp

I believe that Putin chose the option that resulted in the lowest death toll. If they had stormed the place, it was wired to blow. Everyone would have died including the rescuers.

[licorice whip]

i was so scared that the chechans would blow the place up. even though 117 people is a lot, at least its not 700.

what is the world coming to? :(

[Psyche Ague]

Couldn't they have used something in terms of gas that wouldn't have killed so many people? I understand that the hostages had health problems from sitting still for so many days without food and water, but I think they shouldn't have used the gas they did. Am I wrong? I think gas was a better alternative than going in and shooting, though.

[flar7]

there are no "knock out" gasses at this time that dont have the
potential to kill the victim. Thats why you sign a release when
you go in for surgery.

[Psyche Ague]

Originally posted by flar7
there are no "knock out" gasses at this time that dont have the
potential to kill the victim. Thats why you sign a release when
you go in for surgery.

I guess that's true. I mean, it seems like just about anything has the potential to kill you. And I guess the stress of not eating or sleeping was a deciding factor.

But it's still so wrong...:(

[Gwion]

It would have had to be so strong that the terrorists would go unconscious before they had the chance to realize what was up and kill people or detonate bombs.