Today in History: 2004 Beslan School Siege Leaves Over 385 Dead After Hostage Crisis

The Beslan school siege, which began on September 1, 2004, in North Ossetia, Russia, remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history. On that day, armed militants, mostly linked to Chechen separatists and Islamist extremists, stormed School Number One in Beslan during a traditional ceremony marking the start of the academic year.

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Over 1,100 people, mainly schoolchildren, their parents, and teachers, were taken hostage and herded into the school gymnasium under brutal conditions. The attackers mined the building with explosives and threatened to detonate them if their demands were not met. For three days, the hostages endured severe hunger, thirst, and fear, while Russian authorities attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

The standoff ended violently on September 3, when a series of explosions and gunfire broke out, some sources claim accidentally triggered by the militants, while others suggest Russian forces initiated an assault. Chaos ensued as panicked hostages tried to escape while terrorists fired on them and Russian security forces stormed the school.

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The building eventually caught fire and partially collapsed, leading to horrific scenes of carnage. By the time the siege ended, more than 385 people were dead, including 186 children, and hundreds more were wounded. The tragedy shocked the world and left deep scars in the Beslan community, symbolizing both the brutality of terrorism and the devastating consequences of armed conflict.