3.9.2004 15:49 MSK
Fighting around Beslan school virtually over
BESLAN. Sept 3 (Interfax) - The fighting around the Beslan school is virtually over, even though single shots are still heard.
The wounded are being evacuated from the scene. Five dead bodies of children covered with sheets are now lying on the glass near the road on stretchers, an Interfax corespondent has reported.
3.9.2004 16:04 MSK
Over 1,000 beds await Beslan victims in Vladikavkaz
MOSCOW. Sept 3 (Interfax) - As many as 1,025 beds have been made available in Vladikavkaz hospitals for victims of the Beslan terror attack, an official in the North Ossetian Health Ministry told Interfax on Friday.
There are a total of 128 wounded in the city's hospitals, 70 of them in the ambulance center, eight in the North Ossetian republic's hospital and 50 in the children's hospital, he said.
The medics have been preparing to provide services for the victims since the start of today's developments in the Beslan school, the official said. He expected gunshot and fragment wounds among the victims.
Lev Dzugayev, head of the information analysis division in the republic's presidential office, told Interfax earlier that over 200 wounded had been taken to Beslan hospitals.
3.9.2004 15:53 MSK
Fire breaks out near Beslan school, in neighboring houses
BESLAN. Sept 3 (Interfax) - A fire broke out near the school building where hostages were seized as well as in neighboring houses, an Interfax correspondent reported from Beslan.
Although shooting and explosions are continuing near the school, several fire engines have arrived at the scene and ambulances continue to arrive and depart one after another.
3.9.2004 15:36 MSK
Tank shots heard in Beslan
BESLAN/MOSCOW. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Tank shots have been heard in a building in Beslan, where some of the gunmen involved in the siege fled to after Russian forces stormed the school, an Interfax correspondent has reported.
Military helicopters are flying over the area.
In the meantime, the Russian Defense Ministry has told Interfax a Northern Caucasus Military District special task unit is currently fighting the terrorists who have left the school.
"Northern Caucasus Military District spies who followed the rebels, who have changed their clothes, have begun fighting them," Interfax was told.
3.9.2004 15:26 MSK
Hostages evacuated from Beslan school's gym; school area mined
BESLAN. Sept 3 (Interfax) - All hostages have now been evacuated from the Beslan school gymnasium, Interfax has learned.
Several terrorists have occupied some of the classrooms, where they are holding out against the special task forces.
"It is impossible to use equipment near the school as the area near the school has been mined," a military source told Interfax.
3.9.2004 15:14 MSK
Over 200 wounded hospitalized in Beslan - official
BESLAN. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Over 200 people wounded in the Beslan school standoff were hospitalized as of 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Lev Dzugayev, the head of the presidential information department, told Interfax.
Some wounded have been taken to Vladikavkaz hospitals, he said.
3.9.2004 15:20 MSK
Rebels hiding in house near N.Ossetia school building
BESLAN. Sept 3 (Interfax-South) - A small group of rebels who have managed to escape from the school building in Beslan are holding out in a house within the limits of the first ring of cordons, a sources in the crisis headquarters told Interfax.
He said the house has been encircled by policemen.
An Interfax correspondent reported that shooting is continuing near the school building. Two explosions, presumably caused by fire from a grenade launcher, could be heard. Many vehicles, including ambulances and private cars, are arriving at the schoolyard despite shooting.
3.9.2004 14:31 MSK
Special forces almost fully control school in Beslan - crisis HQ
BESLAN. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Russian special forces have control of most of the school where hundreds of hostages have been held by gunmen for two days, the crisis headquarters told Interfax.
Shooting around the school is calming down, an Interfax correspondent reports. Special troops are in the building. Several hostage-takers who escaped from the building are trying to flee. Some of them are shooting sporadically.
NTV television reported that several rebels wearing civilian clothes are trying to disappear in Beslan's residential areas.
NTV said special forces are combing residential areas in search for terrorists.
__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail