This year marks the 18th anniversary of the Beslan school hostage taking in North Ossetia, Alania.

More than 1,200 people were taken hostage during the terrorist attack at a school in Beslan, which occurred on September 1, 2004, the first day of the academic year. The tragedy claimed 334 lives, including 186 children. Some 126 of these hostages became handicapped, of them 70 children, who still need rehabilitation.

Even 18 years later, there are still many questions left unanswered by official investigations. It is uncertain whether the explosion, which triggered the rescue operation, happened inside the school and was initiated by terrorists, or whether it was down to shooting from outside by the military, Special Forces or a local militia.