Hostage-takers in southern Russia have released 15 children of the more than 100 people from a seized school, the Itar-Tass news agency reported, citing officials at the scene.

The North Ossetian Interior Ministry spokesman, Ismel Shaov, said in the meantime that about 120 to 150 people are being held by hostage-attackers in the school in the town of Beslan.

He did not specify how many children and adults are among the hostages.

Earlier reports said that up to 400 people, including 200 kids, were being held by the attackers, numbering 25 to 30.

The attackers with explosive belts and guns stormed the school in a covered truck of the type often used for troop transport.

The seizure occurred when a large number of parents had accompanied their children to a ceremony marking the start of a new school year.

Up to 50 children, who had apparently hidden during the seizure, managed to escape from the school, Itar-Tass said earlier.

A top regional police official said the hostage takers had threatened to kill 50 children for every abductor killed, accordign to Itar-Tass.

Source: Xinhua