Families mark second anniversary of Beslan school siege

Children, weeping parents and sombre-faced officials marked the second anniversary of one of Russia’s worst terrorist attacks today, attending tearful ceremonies at the burnt-out shell of Beslan’s School No. 1.

With melancholy music playing over loudspeakers, hundreds filed past photographs and lighted candles in the ravaged husk of the school’s gymnasium where on September 1, 2004, several dozen Islamic militants took 1,128 students, teachers and parents hostage.

The three-day ordeal, which saw hostages deprived of food and water, ended in a bloodbath after two powerful explosions rocked the school and security forces launched a chaotic rescue effort.

More than half of the 333 victims were children; most were killed by the blasts and ensuing gunfire or burned to death in the blaze sparked by the explosions.

Meanwhile, amid tight security, students in other parts of Russia attended festive ceremonies known as Day of Knowledge to mark the opening of the school year.