But how many of the ship's occupants were Rebel Soldiers? Surely not ever one of them. "Commoners" aren't going to put up a fight against a Stormtrooper... and even the movie hinted that the escape pods were being used...
ie - when they failed to blast the living hell out of the pod the droids took to Tatooine
Plus factor in that their ship was pretty much "swallowed" by the Destroyer. If you
did escape the initial 8 onslaught.. where are you going to go? A whole Destroyer company is not my idea of a good plan
"Hey let's put up a fight against a small city! We can win!.. err.. guys, where are you going.. guys?" hehehe...
I'm sure surrender was an option most of the Rebels took...if they were given the "luxury"...