Hundreds Dead, Injured in Russia

More than 320 people were killed and over 600 injured after commandos stormed a school in southern Russia on Friday where armed militants held hostages for the past three days.

Officials say the number of deaths could rise as debris is cleared from the school.

As night fell on the scene, Russian commanders said all of the hostage-takers had been either killed or captured and that military activities had ended. However, conflicting reports suggested four militants remained at large.

Emergency officials said they had identified 95 bodies. As many as 550 people were hospitalized – including more than 300 children. Up to 1,500 people may have been held in the school.

Russian health ministry officials said 92 of the hospitalized children are in "very grave" condition.


As many as nine of the hostage-takers were Arabs, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Interfax news agency.