New Gas Discovered in Moscow Rescue

NPR | By David Kestenbaum

Published November 1, 2002 at 12:00 AM EST

NPR's David Kestenbaum reports that another strong substance may have been mixed with the powerful narcotic gas pumped into a Moscow theater held by Chechen rebels last week. Russian health officials have detected traces of the anesthetic Halothane in the bodies of rescued hostages, but it's unclear whether pending test results will be made public. More than one hundred hostages died from the gas.

David Kestenbaum

David Kestenbaum is a correspondent for NPR, covering science, energy issues and, most recently, the global economy for NPR's multimedia project Planet Money. David has been a science correspondent for NPR since 1999. He came to journalism the usual way — by getting a Ph.D. in physics first.

See stories by David Kestenbaum

SUSTAIN what matters. BUILD what’s next.

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.