Timetable of terror

Russian special forces stormed the siege school in the city of Beslan today as the crisis lurched towards a bloody conclusion.

This is a timeline of key events during the siege.

Local time is three hours ahead of Irish Time.

Wednesday, September 1

:: Shortly after 6am (Irish time) Beslan’s School Number One is seized by unknown gunmen and shots are exchanged with police. Masked men and women burst into rooms during a ceremony marking the beginning of the school year.

:: Reports of the death toll range from two to eight people, with more than a dozen wounded.

:: 7.50am. Russian media report that the attackers are wearing suicide-bomb belts and have rounded up children and parents in the school’s gymnasium.

:: 9am. More gunfire is heard and loud explosions are reported at the scene.

:: 1.40pm. It is reported that 15 children have been released. Authorities also say that at least 12 children and one adult escaped after hiding in boiler room.

:: 4.30pm. A Russian security official confirms that authorities have established contact with hostage takers.

Thursday, Sept. 2

:: 7.15am. The Kremlin announces President Vladimir Putin has cancelled a planned trip to Turkey, which would have been the first state visit to the country by a Russian leader for bilateral talks since the Soviet collapse.

:: 11am. Putin, in his first comments on the attack, calls it “horrible” and says: “Our main task is, of course, to save the lives and health of those who became hostages.”

:: Ruslan Aushev, an Afghan war hero and former president of neighbouring Ingushetia region, holds talks with hostage-takers in school gym. Aushev is later credited with securing hostage releases.

:: 1.45pm. About 26 hostages are released, with women and small children taken to safety. It is reported that one woman returns to the school to remain with still-captive children.

:: 10pm. Two loud bangs are heard and authorities claim it is unprovoked firing by hostage-takers. One policeman reported injured.

Friday, Sept 3

:: A released hostage tells reporters that at least 1,500 people are being at the school by armed militants, backing a figure put forward by a local legislator.

:: 10.20am. A group of 30 women and children escape from the school after two strong explosions roar out near the building followed by gunfire. Some are in just underwear and covered in blood. A number of them are half-naked.

:: The school’s roof appears to collapse and militants are seen firing and shelling from inside the school with helicopters hovering overhead.

:: Scattered shooting is heard as security forces search streets and nearby buildings for fleeing militants, some of them apparently women who have disguised themselves in hostages’ clothing.

:: 10.59am. Special forces storm into the school to end the stand-off as attack and transport helicopters circle the scene.

:: It is believed the attack began when soldiers came under fire from the militants as they attempted to remove the bodies of people killed outside the school on Wednesday.

:: The hostage takers are said to be mingling with the captives as they attempt to flee.

:: Naked and semi-clad hostages flee from the school buildings, after Russian commandos blast a hole in the wall of the school. Five militants are reported killed.

:: 11.10am. Russian troops claim to have full control of the school.

:: 11.17am. All hostages are reportedly evacuated.

:: 11.25am. Thirteen escaped militants reportedly holed up in Breslan home surrounded by troops and tanks. Intermittent gunfire continues at the school.

:: 1.30pm. Regional president says hostage-takers had demanded Russian troops leave Chechnya – the first clear indication of their demands and the first direct link between incident and the ongoing war in Chechnya.

:: Late afternoon. More than 100 bodies are found in the school, mostly in the gymnasium where the roof collapsed following an explosion.

:: Two emergency workers are reportedly dead and 10 militants are reported killed in gunfights. Officials say a total of 409 are wounded, including 219 children.

:: 4pm. Three militants are reported to be blockaded in the school basement, possibly including the head hostage-taker.

:: 4.10pm. The regional Russian Federal Security Service chief confirms that 60 bodies recovered from the school have been identified.

:: 4.30pm. Russian news agency reports claim 20 kidnappers are dead, including 10 Arabs.