Siberia marks the tenth anniversary of the carnage of the Beslan school siege

The siege when terrorists overran School Number One in Beslan as students celebrated the first day of term led to the deaths of 334, including 186 children. A decade on, Siberians are joining the rest of Russia in marking this shattering terrorist crime in the south of the country. 

In Omsk students of all years will have lessons on safety and security precautions. On 3 September, teachers and students will devote a lesson to the memory of the Beslan victims. On the same day on Komsomolskaya Square in Khabarovsk a memory action 'Light a candle in your heart' will be dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the school siege. 

In Irkutsk, the documentary 'Beslan. City of Angels' will be screened. In the Church of the Savior, as in other holy places across many time zones, there will be a prayer service for the victims, with 334 candles lit in memory of those who lost their life. 

Ten years ago some of the journalists working for The Siberian Times were reporting from Beslan in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy. We too bow our heads to the families who lost their loved ones due to this despicable act of terror, and pray for the survivors, many of whom still bear the scars of this horrific event. They are an example to us all in overcoming adversity the like of which no-one should have to face.