On September 1, 2004, armed Chechen rebels took approximately 1,200 children and adults hostage at a school in Beslan, North Ossetia. Hundreds of people were killed as a result of the three-day siege in southern Russia.
Beslan siege —
On September 1, 2004, armed Chechen rebels took approximately 1,200 children and adults hostage at a school in Beslan, North Ossetia. Hundreds of people were killed as a result of the three-day siege in southern Russia.
VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images
Ossetian soldiers take position near the school where a group of gunmen, wearing belts laden with explosives, held the hostages.
Beslan siege —
Ossetian soldiers take position near the school where a group of gunmen, wearing belts laden with explosives, held the hostages.
DMITRY AZAROV/AFP/Getty Images
Soldiers wait in position near the school in Beslan. Russian commandos took over the school and freed many hostages on the third day of the siege.
Beslan siege —
Soldiers wait in position near the school in Beslan. Russian commandos took over the school and freed many hostages on the third day of the siege.
YURI TUTOV/AFP/Getty Images
An Ossetian policeman and volunteers carry a stretcher with injured schoolgirl during the rescue operation.
Beslan siege: In pictures —
An Ossetian policeman and volunteers carry a stretcher with injured schoolgirl during the rescue operation.
Yuri Tutov/AFP/Getty Images
A special police soldier carries an injured colleague, as two soldiers and two women take cover behind an armored personnel carrier during the siege.
Beslan siege: In pictures —
A special police soldier carries an injured colleague, as two soldiers and two women take cover behind an armored personnel carrier during the siege.
Yuri Tutov/AFP/Getty Images
A soldier takes cover as special forces storm the school to free remaining hostages.
Beslan siege —
A soldier takes cover as special forces storm the school to free remaining hostages.
Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images
A mother hugs her son in front of soldiers cordoning off the school building.
Beslan siege —
A mother hugs her son in front of soldiers cordoning off the school building.
VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images
Ossetians comfort children during the rescue operation at Beslan school. Around 700 local residents were wounded in the hostage siege.
Beslan siege —
Ossetians comfort children during the rescue operation at Beslan school. Around 700 local residents were wounded in the hostage siege.
MIKHAIL KLIMENTIEV/AFP/Getty Images
The siege ended on September 3, 2004, leaving 334 people dead -- including 186 children -- and more than 700 people wounded.
Beslan siege —
The siege ended on September 3, 2004, leaving 334 people dead -- including 186 children -- and more than 700 people wounded.
VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images
People look for their relatives among the bodies of the Beslan siege victims at the morgue in Vladikavkz, North Ossetia, on September 4, 2004.
Beslan siege —
People look for their relatives among the bodies of the Beslan siege victims at the morgue in Vladikavkz, North Ossetia, on September 4, 2004.
VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Image
Amanpour disturbing images warning
Beslan siege —
People look for relatives among the dead bodies of the Beslan victims in Vladikavkz, North Ossetia.
Beslan siege —
People look for relatives among the dead bodies of the Beslan victims in Vladikavkz, North Ossetia.
VLADIMIR SUVOROV/AFP/Getty Images
Russian women light candles after a special memorial service at a church on September 7, 2004.
Beslan siege —
Russian women light candles after a special memorial service at a church on September 7, 2004.
KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images
People take part in a "Russia-against terrorism" mass-meeting next to St Basil's Cathedral, on the Red Square in Moscow, September 7, 2004.
Beslan siege —
People take part in a "Russia-against terrorism" mass-meeting next to St Basil's Cathedral, on the Red Square in Moscow, September 7, 2004.
TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP/Getty Images
Nurpashi Kulayev stands in the defendant's cage during the proceedings of his trial in Vladikavkaz, May 24, 2006. Kulayev was the only surviving terrorist responsible for a terrorist act staged at the school. He was found guilty of terrorism and other charges and sentenced to life in prison.
Beslan siege —
Nurpashi Kulayev stands in the defendant's cage during the proceedings of his trial in Vladikavkaz, May 24, 2006. Kulayev was the only surviving terrorist responsible for a terrorist act staged at the school. He was found guilty of terrorism and other charges and sentenced to life in prison.
KAZBEK BASAYEV/AFP/Getty Images