Moscow: Eight people have died in the sniping between the armed group that took hundreds of people hostage at a school at Beslan town and the security forces.

One person died at the scene and seven in hospitals, Itar-Tass said, quoting hospital sources.

An earlier report had said one civilian and a militant were killed in the shootout between the police and the hostage-takers.

The hostage takers, who are believed to be Chechen militants, are still holding about 400 people in the indoor sports hall of the school.