MOSCOW — 2002 · Major Tragedy
The Moscow Theatre Siege (Nord-Ost)
On the evening of 23 October 2002 a group of 40 to 50 armed Chechen militants took about 850 people hostage at the Dubrovka theatre in Moscow during a performance of the musical 'Nord-Ost'. After a three-day siege, Russian special forces pumped a chemical gas into the ventilation system and stormed the building on the morning of 26 October. Almost all the militants were killed, but according to official figures more than 130 hostages also died, most from the effects of the gas. The refusal to identify the gas and inadequate medical care drew heavy criticism. In 2011 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia had violated the right to life in planning the rescue.
- Date
- 2002
- Place
- Dubrovka Theatre, Russia, Moscow, RU
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 55.7262, 37.6740 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 23 October 2002Militants took about 850 people hostage at the Dubrovka theatre.
- 26 October 2002Special forces stormed the building using gas.
- October 2002Officials admitted most hostages died from the gas.
- June 2007The official investigation was suspended.
- December 2011The ECHR found Russia had violated the right to life.
Sources
- BBC News — Gas 'killed Moscow hostages' news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- BBC News — Moscow siege leaves dark memories news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- The Guardian — The Moscow theatre siege theguardian.com ↗
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.