Moscow theatre siege death toll reaches 128

Russian prosecutors have announced 128 people died during the Moscow hostage crisis, eight more than previously revealed.

Russian prosecutors have announced 128 people died during the Moscow hostage crisis, eight more than previously revealed.

The Moscow city prosecutor's office published a list containing the names of 120 Russians and eight foreigners.

It says five of the victims had died of gunshot wounds, three more than reported before. Four of the bodies could not be identified for many days, the prosecutors said.

As of last night, 98 of the freed hostages remain in hospitals, six of them in a serious condition.

READ MORE

In addition, nine officers of the Federal Security Service's elite Alpha commando that stormed the building also were in hospitals.

Dozens of gunmen seized more than 800 hostages in a theatre on October 23rd and threatened to blow up the building unless Russia ended the war in Chechnya.

Special forces stormed the building on October 26th, and at least 118 people were killed by the opiate-based gas used to knock out the attackers.

At a meeting with surviving hostages yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had suffered "a terrible tragedy, heavy, irreparable losses".

AP