Hostage-takers Have Freed Some of the Hostages at a Russian School

[Warsai]

Hostage-takers have freed 32 women and infants from a school in south Russia, but they are still holding more than 300 people, among them many children.

Officials said they were working to maintain contact with the attackers, with the crisis well into a second day. Authorities ruled out using force to end the siege in North Ossetia, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the hostages' safety was paramount.

Desperate parents are maintaining a vigil outside the school in Beslan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3621418.stm

[Warsai]

Here's a map of the school where the children are being held:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/36...stm#schoolplan

[plazul]

The terrorists are releasing some hostages but I'm not optimistic about the outcome. The Russians aren't very patient with terrorists (remember the theater incident) and I fear that they will mount an assault very soon.

[jaycee]

Putin says that the safety of the hostages in paramount & has said he won't use force to end the situation.

Noble sentiments but I can't personally see how this will be resolved. There was an attempt at negotiation last night but all communication was severed in the wee small hours..........

I have a horrible sensation in the pit of my stomach that tells me this won't end well.

I don't care how much you believe in a cause.........nothing can justify terrorising kiddies, some of them were starting school for the very first time - they are just babies.