School hostages freed

a baby is carried away from the siege
13 April 2012

Armed attackers holding a siege inside a Russian school have released a number of hostages.

Reports say that up to 26 people have been freed, with news footage showing women and babies being taken away from the scene.

Earlier today tension had risen in the southern Russian city of Beslan after explosions were heard and a plume of black smoke rose above the school.

Russian president Vladimir Putin promised today to do all he could to prevent harm coming to the hundreds of children, parents and teachers still being held.

Putin described the seizure as "horrifying because among the hostages are children" and because it could upset the delicate balance of religious and national groups in the turbulent Caucasus region.

Earlier, Valery Andreyev, head of the FSB security service in North Ossetia province, told journalists: "There is no question at the moment of opting for force. There will be a lengthy and tense process of negotiation."

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