Russian School Hostage Death Toll Hits 322

Gunmen stormed into a Beslan school on Wednesday, the first day of classes, and took hostage nearly 1200 parents, children, and teachers. The standoff between the terrorists and Russian forces had just entered its third day when explosions coming from the school gymnasium compelled the Russian forces to take action. The troops stormed the building and spent much of the day embroiled in a fierce firefight with the terrorists.

At the end of the day at least 20 of the terrorists had been killed and three captured. Many of the hostages died when the roof of the school’s gymnasium collapsed yesterday.