WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush expressed sadness on Friday over those hostages killed in a Russian school and condemned the terrorist act.

    "This is yet another grim reminder of the length to which terrorists will go to threaten this civilized world. We mourn the innocent lives that have been lost, we stand with the people of Russia, we send them our prayers for this terrible situation," Bush said at a campaign rally.

    White House spokesman Scott McClellan also condemned the act, saying that there was no justification for the taking of innocent life and "the barbaric nature of this terrorist act is despicable."

    Russian special forces on Friday stormed the school in Russia'sNorth Ossetia republic where the hostages were held. Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisor said the death toll from the tragedy might hit over 150 and at least 332 children had been hospitalized following Friday's hostage-rescuing operation.

    Some 400 people, reportedly including 200 schoolchildren, was taken hostage after a group of armed men seized a school in North Ossetia's Beslan region on Wednesday morning.

    The United States has offered to help Russia resolve the hostage crisis. Enditem