LONDON, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to condemn theterrorists involved in the hostage crisis in a school in Russia's North Ossetia Region.

    "I have been closely watching the terrible developments in North Ossetia. It is hard to express my revulsion at the inhumanity of terrorists prepared to put children and their families through such suffering," Blair said in his letter.

    "Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the families and friends of those killed, those injured and all of the Russian people at this time," Blair said.

    Blair's letter came as reports said at least 150 people have died after Russian troops stormed the school amid heavy gunfire and loud explosions.

    Earlier reports said about 400 people in the school were taken hostage on Wednesday morning by the Chechen separatists. But latest reports said up to 1,200, most of them are children, could have been held.

    Itar-Tass news agency said 646 people, 227 children were taken to hospital during the day.

    The Russian security service said about 20 rebels had been killed and the Russian military announced that "almost all of the bandits were killed and several have been arrested." Enditem