His iron response won acclaim, but the price - at least 67 dead hostages, and perhaps far more - could yet prove dear.

"A dead hostage is useless," she told him.

One newspaper was cited for publishing a photograph of dead hostages being taken away from the site of the siege.

"Not unless you want dead hostages on your hands."

Any attempted takeout brings a chance of dead hostages.

Naturally, former guards and families of the dead hostages had a question: what about us?

Burned villages and dead hostages marked the path of the First Army.

He wanted to tell her that if they didn't want a dead hostage to show to the brass, they'd better at least get the fan running.

We have one hostage dead during the takedown, one missing.