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North Caucasus

Russian Town Of Beslan Mourns On Anniversary Of School Attack

Women attend a ceremony to mark the 13th anniversary of a fatal school hostage-taking attack in southern Russian town of Beslan, on September 1, 2017.
Women attend a ceremony to mark the 13th anniversary of a fatal school hostage-taking attack in southern Russian town of Beslan, on September 1, 2017.

BESLAN, Russia -- The southern Russian town of Beslan has begun three days of mourning to mark the 13th anniversary of a school hostage-taking attack that ended with 334 people dead after a botched rescue, including 186 children.

The ceremony began on September 1 with the ringing of a bell at the ruins of School No. 1 in Beslan, in the North Ossetia region.

People attending the ceremony brought flowers, candles, and bottles of water -- a gesture to the victims, who were held for over two days in the stifling-hot school with very little water to drink.

Regional officials, residents, relatives of the victims, and members of the Mothers of Beslan NGO were among those attanding the commemoration.

Militants stormed School No. 1 on September 1, 2004 -- the first day of school -- and took some 1,200 children, parents, teachers, and staff hostage.

Most of the hostages who died were killed when Russian security forces stormed the school on September 3.

Beslan: Three Days Of Terror (Click Image to open photo gallery)

Beslan: Three Days Of Terror

Russian soldiers take up positions in front of School No. 1 in Beslan after militants stormed the building on September 1, 2004.
1/17 Russian soldiers take up positions in front of School No. 1 in Beslan after militants stormed the building on September 1, 2004.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Women stand outside the school on the first day of the hostage crisis.
2/17 Women stand outside the school on the first day of the hostage crisis.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A screen grab from Russian NTV shows special forces soldiers outside the school.
3/17 A screen grab from Russian NTV shows special forces soldiers outside the school.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A soldier carries a baby after the militants released 26 women and children on the second day of the crisis.
4/17 A soldier carries a baby after the militants released 26 women and children on the second day of the crisis.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Volunteers carry an injured civilian to safety while soldiers storm the school on September 3, the third day of the hostage crisis. A number of witnesses said they saw tanks fire on the school. Russian authorities' handing of the crisis would come under heavy scrutiny in the wake of the tragedy.
5/17 Volunteers carry an injured civilian to safety while soldiers storm the school on September 3, the third day of the hostage crisis. A number of witnesses said they saw tanks fire on the school. Russian authorities' handing of the crisis would come under heavy scrutiny in the wake of the tragedy.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A man assists two young hostages who managed to escape from the school after special forces stormed the building.
6/17 A man assists two young hostages who managed to escape from the school after special forces stormed the building.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Recently freed hostages comfort each other outside the school.
7/17 Recently freed hostages comfort each other outside the school.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Boys take shelter in a vehicle after their escape from the school.
8/17 Boys take shelter in a vehicle after their escape from the school.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A man carries an injured boy to safety.
9/17 A man carries an injured boy to safety.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A view of the damaged school building the day after special forces ended the siege.
10/17 A view of the damaged school building the day after special forces ended the siege.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A mother touches her injured daughter's hair as she recovers at a hospital in Vladikavkaz, the regional capital of North Ossetia.
11/17 A mother touches her injured daughter's hair as she recovers at a hospital in Vladikavkaz, the regional capital of North Ossetia.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Relatives try to identify the bodies of victims outside a morgue in Vladikavkaz.
12/17 Relatives try to identify the bodies of victims outside a morgue in Vladikavkaz.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Relatives mourn at a cemetery in Beslan.
13/17 Relatives mourn at a cemetery in Beslan.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Two girls touch pictures of hostages who remained missing three days after the end of the hostage crisis.
14/17 Two girls touch pictures of hostages who remained missing three days after the end of the hostage crisis.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
A bailiff tries to silence women speaking out during the trial of Nurpashi Kulayev, the only militant arrested during the Beslan hostage crisis, at a court in Vladikavkaz on May 19, 2005.
15/17 A bailiff tries to silence women speaking out during the trial of Nurpashi Kulayev, the only militant arrested during the Beslan hostage crisis, at a court in Vladikavkaz on May 19, 2005.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Nurpashi Kulayev, the only surviving militant of the Beslan siege, was sentenced to life in prison on May 26, 2006.
16/17 Nurpashi Kulayev, the only surviving militant of the Beslan siege, was sentenced to life in prison on May 26, 2006.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
Family members expressed their anger in court in 2007 after three policemen implicated in the event were given amnesty. The police officers had been charged with negligence in the handling of the crisis.
17/17 Family members expressed their anger in court in 2007 after three policemen implicated in the event were given amnesty. The police officers had been charged with negligence in the handling of the crisis.
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release. On September 3, 2004, Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including 186 children.
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In April, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia must pay nearly 3 million euros to relatives of Beslan victims, saying that Russian authorities failed to protect the schoolchildren, teachers, and parents.

With reporting by region15.ru
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