PM: Russian officials count 31 killed hostage-takers. Saturday September 4, 2004 3:15 AM: Putin orders Beslan sealed and the borders of North Ossetia closed as security forces continue to search for participants in the school massacre. 4:00 AM: Putin flies to Beslan and visits local hospitals. 8:00 AM: Putin confirms the storm on the school was not planned. 9:54 AM: Six heavily injured children flown to Moscow for specialist treatment. 11:00 AM: Official numbers of deaths now tops 322 including 155 children. 3:30 PM: Putin in a televised speech to the nation admits to deficiencies in handling of the hostage crisis, saying “Weak people are beaten.” 6:00 PM: Beslan residents are allowed into the destroyed school. Sunday September 5, 2004 Official death toll now at 355, 207 identified. 700 injured. 386 hospitalized, 58 in critical condition. First of the funerals take place. Russian patriarch Alexius II presides over a mass in Moscow to pray for the victims of the tragedy. Monday September 6, 2004 Mass burials of up to 120 victims. Putin orders two days of national mourning. Ceremonies held in all larger cities. Tuesday September 7, 2004 Mass rally in at Kremlin in Moscow gathers around 135,000 people in a demonstration against terrorism. Friday, September 17, 2004 In a message to the website Kavkaz Center Chechen leader Basayev claimed responsibility for the school siege. Monday, October 11, 2004 Ceremony in Beslan to mark the end of the traditional 40 days of mourning. Wednesday, February 16, 2005 Abu Zaid Al-Kuwaiti, suspected of preparing and organizing attack against Beslan, commits suicide when surrounded by Russian special forces. November 2005 Abu Omar al-Saif, suspected financier and organiser of attack against Beslan, commits suicide or is killed when surrounded by Russian special forces. Friday, May 26, 2006 Nur-Pashi Kulayev, the only known terrorist to survive the hostage taking is sentenced to life in prison. Monday, July 10, 2006 Basayev is killed in the Russian republic of Ingushetia after a "special operation", according to FSB security service chief Patrushev. See also Beslan school hostage crisis References As it happened: Russian school siege, 4 September 2004 BBC News. Last accessed 18 July 2006. Timeline: the Beslan school siege, 6 September 2004, The Guardian. Last accessed 18 July 2006. Clearing of hostages, 3 September 2004. Last accessed 18 July 2006. Chronology. Last accessed 28 July 2006. Beslan Beslan Beslan