Beslan School Siege

The Beslan School Siege occurred in September 2004 in Beslan, Russia, when armed militants took over a school during a celebration, taking around 1,100 people, including children, hostage. The attackers, linked to Chechen separatists, demanded independence for Chechnya. The standoff lasted three days and ended violently when Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in a tragic firefight. The siege ended with 334 hostages dead, including 186 children, highlighting the complexities of terrorism, regional conflict, and the impact on civilians. The event deeply affected Russia and remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of such crises.