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Putin Arrives at Scene of Russian Hostage Crisis - 2004-09-04


Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the Russian republic of North Ossetia -- where a three-day hostage crisis at a school ended in bloodshed Friday with more than 200 killed.

Upon his arrival in the town of Beslan early Saturday, Mr. Putin headed straight for the local hospital, where many of the estimated 700 wounded are being treated.

Two transport planes also arrived Saturday with additional emergency supplies and medical personnel.

Many of the victims were caught in the crossfire between the hostage-takers and Russian troops. It is unclear what triggered the shootout between the suspected Chechen militants and Russian forces. Officials say 27 militants were killed, and that some of them were identified as Arab mercenaries.

The militants had been holding up to 12-hundred people hostage since seizing the school Wednesday. Authorities said they did not plan to use force, and only did so after the militants set off explosives inside the school.

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