Is anyone else following this?
There has been live coverage here pretty much all day after it all kicked off.
Apparently a few children tried to escape, the terrorists shot at them, and the Russian armed forces decided to take action, fearing that the terrorists would start a wholesale slaughter.
The terrorist then set off a mine/bomb in the gymnasium, where most of the hostages were reported to be.
A very chaotic few hours later-
(GMT)
0905: Explosions and gunfire heard. Soldiers run to building
0930: School roof said to have collapsed
0958: Special forces enter school
1115: All hostages reported out of school
1125: Security forces attack house where some rebels thought to be hiding - reports
1322: More than 400 people injured, officials say (219 children)
1330: Security services say their assault on school was not planned
1345: More than 100 bodies found in school gym - Interfax
1407: 10 hostage-takers killed in shoot-outs - Interfax
Latest reports say that 3 militants are barricaded in the school basement, possibly including the militant leader.
The White House has stated that the hostage taking was a "barbaric act" and they "Stand by Russia".
Just goes to show that Terrorism ≠ Al Qaida