British girl caught in school siege

A British girl was caught up in a gun battle today when police stormed a school where 70 children were being held hostage.

The rescue at Siem Reap International School took place after kidnappers killed a three-year-old Canadian girl and tried to flee with other children in a truck.

The hostages, including the British girl, were freed unharmed and police said four gunmen were seized.

A police source said: "The gunmen threatened to kill the children one by one. Then our forces decided to storm the school." The gang burst into the building in north western Cambodia, near the famous Angkor temples and home to many expatriates, earlier today. They took 70 students and four teachers hostage and were reported to have demanded $30,000, a 12-seater minibus and additional weapons.

Up to 15 nationalities were among the hostages, including Japanese, Australian and American.

There were reports two Irish children were among the captives.

British ambassador David Reader was at the scene. Vice-consul Gary Bonham said there was speculation the gunmen "were working at the school last week, erecting a marquee for a school fete, but that is unconfirmed".

Cambodian information minister Khieu Kanharith said the gunmen may have been from the anti-government Cambodian Freedom Fighters, "or hired by some company or country to destroy tourism".

The CFF launched an attack in Cambodia in November 2000.