ORLANDO, Florida, June 20 — Law enforcement officers rescued many people trapped inside an Orlando nightclub after they entered and forced the gunman to retreat into a bathroom with hostages, police said today.

“We saved many, many lives that night,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina told a news conference near the Pulse nightclub where 49 people were killed and 53 were wounded by suspected shooter Omar Mateen on June 12.

“There was a misconception that we did not do anything for three hours. I’m just trying to clarify, that was not the case.” Mina said. — Reuters