"From what's been posted here, some hostages decided to try and escape, and when that happened the terrorists started shooting at them, Russian forces fired to provide them some cover, and at least one of the terrorists set off explosives in the gym, bringing the roof down. At that point the security forces didn't have a choice but to move in."
Thanks for filling in some of the pieces.
Obviously, the terrorists are to blame.
From different threads and international news:
They negotiated with the terrorists and they allowed the removal of bodies (from the initial takeover) from the courtyard. When rescue personell tried to remove them they realized that the bodies had been boobytrapped and terroists opened fire on the people in the courtyard. At this point a group of 30 made a run for it. Terrorists started gunning them down and FSB etc. started firing etc. etc. 2 different groups tried to make a run for it with the leader in a third group staying behind. One of the group running has been anhilated. Don't know about the other (different reports). So far it has been reported that over 10 of the dead terrorists are Arabs.
There is still shooting between FSB and the third group inside with additional hostages. Word are that there were 1200 - 1500 people inside (different from the original 500 report). Men were mostly herded together and more then a dozen shot during the initial stand-off.
FSB did NOT want to go in there but had no choice when all hell broke loose. Don't think they were ready for it and they did the best they could. SHITTY situation to be in if you ask me. Damned if you do... Damned if you don't....
Unless you realize that every single one of those hostages are already dead from the minute they became hostages.