Russia Hostage Situation: Better, Not Good

Earlier reports of 400 hostages have been knocked down to 120...and no matter what the outcome will be, the children lose a big chunk of their childhood.

120 held hostage at Russian school

At least 120 people, including many children, were today taken hostage in a school in southern Russia.

A group of heavily-armed men and women stormed the secondary school, in the city of Beslan, during a morning ceremony being held to mark the first day of the new school year.

Nine people died in the initial attack, according to the Itar-Tass news agency. They included a father who had attempted to resist the terrorists, and one of the attackers, who was shot dead by police.

Earlier reports had put the number of hostages at around 400, including 200 children, but the figure was later revised.