Besieged people of Mariupol, promised a ceasefire so they could escape the horrors of war, had to dodge constant Russian shelling as innocent residents are killed in the streets.
The evacuation of thousands of people from the war-torn city in the south east of Ukraine was due to start this morning, with Moscow promising to stop attacks to allow them to leave.
Instead, more distressing reports have emerged from the port city.
Its people have suffered near constant shelling for days on end, leaving them without power, heating, power or lights in near freezing conditions.
Virtually cut off from the rest of the world, people have to rely on rainwater from gutters to quench their thirst whilst there is little that can be done for their hunger.
Several grocery stores have been destroyed by missiles. Those left standing have been emptied of food and medicine by desperate people trying to survive.
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Aid agencies have tried to deliver food such as bread but dare not stay still for fear they would be killed by Russian shells.
The nightmare was promised to be nearly at an end today as the Kremlin and Ukraine agreed some of its half a million population could leave through a “humanitarian corridor”.
Instead the attacks never abated leaving the city’s mayor Vadym Boychenko no choice but to cancel the evacuation, fearing it would leave more dead.
He said thousands of people had gathered for safe passage out of the city and buses were departing when shelling began.
He added: "We value the life of every inhabitant of Mariupol and we cannot risk it, so we stopped the evacuation.”
The mayor earlier said they have no way of knowing how many people have died in the city and he has no idea if his family have so far survived.
It comes as the United Nations estimates 12 million people in Ukraine and four million fleeing to neighbouring countries in the coming months will soon need humanitarian aid.
Earlier Mariupol resident Maxim, 27, told the BBC how he had videos of smoke from explosions near the city centre.
He said: "We can hear missiles and see smoke coming from buildings around us
"Our apartment building is full of people now because everyone is fleeing the shelling into the city centre.
"Some people have come from the left bank district and they said it was a total disaster there and there were bodies in the streets.”
Médecins Sans Frontières called for a safe route out of the city and said that several members of its staff had been trapped in Mariupol.
They said in a statement: "The situation is the same as in recent days.
"This night the shelling was harder and closer. We collected snow and rain water yesterday to have some utility water.
"We tried to get free water today but the queue was huge. We also wanted to get ‘social’ bread but it is not clear the schedule and the places of distribution.
"According to people, multiple grocery stores were destroyed by missiles and the remaining things were taken by people in desperate need.”
The Red Cross added: “We remain in dialogue with the parties about the safe passage of civilians from different cities affected by the conflict.
“The scenes in Mariupol and in other cities today are heart-breaking. Any initiative from the parties that gives civilians a respite from the violence and allows them to voluntarily leave for safer areas is welcome.
“As a neutral and impartial humanitarian intermediary, we stand ready to help facilitate the safe passage of civilians once the parties have reached an agreement and that its terms are strictly humanitarian for the ICRC to be involved.
“So-called humanitarian corridors or other measures aimed at providing respite to those affected by conflict must be well planned and implemented with the agreement of the parties to the conflict.
“Regardless of whether humanitarian corridors are implemented in the coming days, parties must continue to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure under international humanitarian law both for those who choose to leave and those who remain.”
