Gigayev, a cameraman for independent Nokh Cho Television in Grozny, and Ramzan Mezhidov, a freelance cameraman working for the Moscow-based TV
Tsentr, were killed during a Russian air attack on refugees fleeing
Chechnya.
The journalists were covering a refugee convoy en route from Grozny
to Nazran, in neighboring Ingushetia. As the convoy approached the
Chechen town of Shaami Yurt, a Russian bomber fired several rockets
from the air, hitting a busload of refugees. Despite warnings from
colleagues traveling with them, Mezhidov and Gigayev left their vehicle
to film the carnage. As they approached the bus, another Russian rocket
hit a nearby truck, fatally wounding both journalists.