Hostage-takers in southern Russia have released 15
children of the more than 100 people from a seized school, the Itar-Tass news
agency reported, citing officials at the scene.
The North Ossetian Interior Ministry spokesman, Ismel
Shaov, said in the meantime that about 120 to 150 people are being held by
hostage-attackers in the school in the town of Beslan.
He did not specify how many children and adults are
among the hostages.
Earlier reports said that up to 400 people, including
200 kids,were being held by the attackers, numbering 25 to 30.
The attackers with explosive belts and guns stormed
the school in a covered truck of the type often used for troop transport.
The seizure occurred when a large number of parents
had accompanied their children to a ceremony marking the start of a new school
year.
Up to 50 children, who had apparently hidden during
the seizure,managed to escape from the school, Itar-Tass said earlier.
A top regional police official said the hostage
takers had threatened to kill 50 children for every abductor killed, accordign
to Itar-Tass.
