Death toll in Russia exceeds 200

BESLAN, Russia — The three-day hostage siege at a school in southern Russia ended in chaos and bloodshed yesterday, after witnesses said Chechen militants set off bombs and Russian commandos stormed the building.

Hostages fled in terror, many of them children who were half-naked and covered in blood. Officials estimated the death toll at more than 200.

Early today, 531 persons remained hospitalized, including 283 children — 92 of the youngsters in “very grave” condition, health officials said.

Sixty-two hours after the hostage drama began during a celebration marking the first day of the school year, the Russian government said resistance had ended.

Valery Andreyev, Russia’s Federal Security Service chief in the region, said 10 Arabs were among 27 militants who were killed. The Itar-Tass news agency, citing unidentified security sources, reported the hostage taking was the work of Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev, who had al Qaeda backing.

There were reports of at least 100 dead in the school gym. Lines of dead children and adults could be seen lying on stretchers, covered with white sheets. Grieving parents and loved ones knelt beside the dead.

Bodies of children also were laid out under a grove of trees near a hospital awaiting identification. Nearby, crowds gathered around lists of injured posted on the walls of the hospital buildings.

The Arab presence among the attackers would support President Vladimir Putin’s contention that al Qaeda terrorists were involved in the Chechen conflict, where Muslim fighters have been battling Russian forces in a war of independence on and off since the early 1990s.

Security sources accused al Qaeda of financing the takeover of the school, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The report also said an al Qaeda operative, Abu Omar as-Saif, coordinated the financing of the attack.

Mr. Putin’s tough policy on Chechnya, has maintained broad domestic support despite the heavy toll rebel violence has taken in recent years.

The Russian president arrived at the terror-struck town for a surprise visit early today, traveling by car to the local hospital where wounded survivors were being treated, the Interfax news agency reported.

On the campaign trail in Wisconsin, President Bush said the hostage siege was “another grim reminder” of the lengths to which terrorists will go.

Western governments offered sympathy to Mr. Putin at the end of the school siege. But the European Union, in a statement issued once the scale of death became apparent, also wanted an explanation from Russia “how this tragedy could have happened,” Reuters news agency reported.

Officials at the crisis headquarters said 95 victims have been identified so far. Health Ministry officials said the total death toll was more than 200, Interfax reported.

Emergency Situations Ministry officials said earlier 704 persons were hospitalized, including 259 children. Many were severely burned.

Story Continues →