Russian prosecutor says 45 died from gunshot wounds

Moscow’s chief prosecutor claims 45 theatre hostages died from gunshot wounds, Interfax news agency reports.

Moscow’s chief prosecutor today said 45 victims of the hostage-taking raid on a Moscow theatre died of gunshot wounds, the Interfax news agency said.

Mikhail Avdyukov’s comments contradicted statements by doctors who said nearly all died from gas pumped into the building by Russian special forces.

Avdyukov said the number did not include hostage-takers, Interfax said.

It included 43 hostages, one woman who was shot dead early in the 58-hour ordeal and a man whose identity he said has not been established.

He said investigators were looking into whether the man may have been one of the attackers, the agency reported.