Beslan School Massacre: 10 Years After

It has been 10 years since the tragic Beslan school massacre, which took the lives of 334, to include 154 children, after a three day standoff between Islamic separatists and Russian special forces.
Above: A mourning event in commemoration of Beslan’s victims.

On September 1, 2004 School #1 in North Ossetia’s town of Beslan was attacked by armed Islamists. Over 800 students and 60 teachers were in attendance that day along with their families.
Above: Destroyed School #1 in Beslan, North Ossetia.

September 1 is the traditional start of the school year, which is usually called Knowledge Day. Because of the Knowledge Day festivities, both friends and family were present at the school.
Above: A mourning event in commemoration of Beslan’s victims.

The next day, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency session, where they blamed the terrorists for their actions, asking the latter to free the hostages. However, the terrorists completely ignored to the request of the UNSC.
Above: Beslan citizens during the mourning event at Destroyed School #1 in Beslan, North Ossetia.

As a result of the terrorist attack 334 people, including 186 children were killed and more than 800 were injured.
Above: A woman is crying at a graveyard in Beslan, where the victims of the tragedy were buried.

As early as September 3, people from all over Russia and other countries began to send humanitarian aid to Beslan. Every year, on September 1 people visit the school to commemorate the hostages killed during the terrorist attack.
Above: A memorial to officers of the Alpha and Vympel units who sheilded hostages with their bodies.