Hostages: 'They are gassing us. We'll all be blown up!'

As Russian special forces stormed the Palace of Culture at dawn yesterday, two women made contact with the Moscow Echo radio station. The transcript of their exchanges with a presenter, live on air, reveals not only their fear and confusion, but also the mistrust that the ordinary Russian has for their government. The dialogue, carried by the BBC News website, went as follows:

Hostage one: "They are gassing us. All the people are sitting in the hall. We really beg not to be gassed! We hope it will not be like the Kursk."

(She passes the phone to her friend, Anya, who appealed to the presenter to try to halt the operation.)

Anya: "It seems to us that the Russians have started something. Please, give us a chance. If you can do anything, please do!"

(The sound of shots is heard in the background.)

Presenter: "We are trying. Could you explain what are you feeling, what gas is it?"

Anya: "I don't know which gas it is. But I see [the hostage-takers'] reactions. They don't want our deaths, and our officials want none of us to leave alive!"

Presenter: "Anya, can you explain what kind of gas that is? What are you feeling, what do you see?"

Anya: "I don't know. We see it, we feel it, we are breathing through our clothes. Our police are doing something. That's it! [Shots ring out] Can you hear me? We are all going to be blown up!"

Presenter: "What was that shooting?"

Anya: "I don't know. I'm hiding. I don't know... It began from outside. That's what our government has decided – that no one should leave from here alive. We will try... "

At this point, contact is lost. It is not known if Anya and her friend are among the survivors.