Posted on 09/03/2004 2:21:29 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
BESLAN, Russia (CNN) -- Hundreds more hostages may be inside a school under siege in southern Russian than first thought, Russian officials have said.
As the crisis entered its third day Friday, a spokesman for the regional government told CNN an earlier estimate of 350 hostages was low.
Two of 26 hostages freed by their captors on Thursday indicated there were 1,000 children, parents and teachers inside the building in Beslan, near the troubled Russian republic of Chechnya.
Relatives waiting outside the school also have said there could be as many as 1,000 hostages, noting that the school has 11 grades with 75-100 students in each grade.
Asked about the discrepancy with the earlier estimate, the regional government spokesman said officials originally accounted only for those children whose parents reported them missing.
But teachers also were in the school when armed attackers seized the building Wednesday morning.
And many of the children -- especially in the lower grades -- were accompanied by their parents and in some cases entire families for a celebration to mark the start of the school year.
"The situation in school very, very dire," CNN's Ryan Chilcote reported from the scene.
"Two of the 26 women and children released yesterday are saying the situation is very bad inside the school's gymnasium where the hostages are being kept.
"At one point the men were separated from the women and children. The men were then brought back into the gymnasium, but there weren't as many of them, and there's no word what happened to the other men."
"There is no food and water. At one point the hostage-takers brought them one cup of water for, as they put it, 1,000 hostages."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
I know it was not directed at me. But, I realize everyone's time is precious. That this is not the type of article that appeals to you. So I will and be a little more choosy. I just posted something that is like a blog I think about the events #300.
I have enjoyed our chat on this news item. One of the things that makes FR so wonderful. I know we will have more discussions on the news of the day, and I look forward to it.
I don't dare write what I am feeling, 'cause I'd be banned for acidic language.
Dana Lewis, FoxNews:
Sad
Many children may be dead inside because they could not run fast enough and were burned to death.
Soldier waved off a parent and told the parent not to come any closer--it was a bad scene inside.
Up to 160 or more are unaccounted for and may be dead inside.
This may be even a more vicious atrocity if that many are dead.
Folks, this could happen here. The Jihadis have learned how this act can paralyze a nation.
I think one dead is unthinkable, but, I know what your point was and I understand and agree.
I read the blog on 300 it is just strange, it seems disorganized and really with little thought to the hostages. I might be wrong but it is my gut saying that. I pray that their numbers are off do to bad mathamatics.
"I don't dare write what I am feeling, 'cause I'd be banned for acidic language."
You and me both!!!
Grrrrrr
Thank you.
I googled the word:
shahidas
Has links there and more info on female martyrs.
That's the scary part..especially after seeing the videos showing Al-Qaeda specifically training for hostage taking and kidnapping!
I just want to blow these terrorists brains out IN FRONT OF THE WORLD! Maybe then they would stop this crap!
There is only one solution to this problem.
In the words of Gen. TJ Jackson
Kill them sir, kill every last man of them.
The picture of that baby in the back seat of the police vehicle broke my heart.
Yes, this can indeed happen here. They will learn how soft we are when are children are involved and this is where they will hit us.
I just heard from MSNBC 150 dead????confirmed is this accurate
I just heard from MSNBC 150 dead????confirmed is this accurate
No idea, it will probably be a few hours or a few days before we get anything close to an accurate count.
This makes me sick to my stomach.
This entire episode should wake people up.
Right now I'm at a loss for words.
to think these young children were so excited for their first day of school, dressed in their nicest clothing with flowers for the teachers, would be held captive and some killed in the name of religion. Why arent isnt the media mentioning that these are Muslim Chechnyns??
This terror operation was set up as a military op. They had their assault personel, support vehicles, outer security for cover support during retreat and field observers as listening posts to report movement as well as undercover operatives.
Terrorists always repeat themselves with any act that doesn't end in total failure;
Before falling asleep last night, I thought, those kids without their families, parents, probably crying, who could do this, heck these terrorists are child molestors.
My blood is boiling. F***ing MUD-SLIMES!
it makes sick, angry, frustrated ... I could go on ..
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