And a runner tells me there are civilians trapped in the starboard petty officers' lounge.

Later on the militants also killed the commander of the rescue squad during his attempt to free civilians trapped in the house.

This is to allow civilians trapped in the combat zone to celebrate the new year.

But it is unclear how elderly, infirm or wounded civilians still trapped in the capital will be able to leave.

That distinction, however, may be lost on the tens of thousands of civilians still trapped in the city.

Official Russian government estimates of the civilians trapped there range as high as 40,000.

The rescue companies pull out civilians and firefighters trapped by debris and fire.

Perhaps we should even contemplate some naval action to alleviate the blockade and bring help to the 50,000 civilians still trapped there.

However, a quarter of a million civilians trapped in the conflict zone need safe passage and they must be provided with humanitarian aid.

The acts of civilians trapped on the high floors remained largely invisible.