RUSSIAN special forces today stormed the school where up to 1,000 children and parents where being held hostage.
Up to five hostage takers are reported to have been shot dead while at least 160 hostages are said to be injured.
Explosions rocked the school in the town of Beslan in north Ossetian just after 10am, and a gunfight continued for several hours.
Hundreds of near naked children and many adults were seen fleeing. Some reports said most of the children were safe.
Russian troops blew a hole in the school wall to help hostages escape.
Full story in tonight's City Final
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