Russian forces storm siege theatre

Several hostage takers are reportedly among the dead

Russian security forces have stormed a Moscow theatre where Chechen rebels were holding hundreds hostage and brought it under their control, officials say.

The hostages are now in the process of being taken out of the building, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Officials said they had all been freed, but there had also been casualties.

Several of the Chechen hostage-takers have been into Russian custody and their leader, Movsar Barayev, is reported to have been killed.

"A number of terrorists have been killed and taken prisoner," Russian security service spokesman Sergei Ignachenko told French news agency AFP.

'Bodies removed'

Earlier several loud explosions and sustained bursts of gunfire were heard around the theatre,

Around 20 bodies - it is unclear whether they were hostages or victims - were seen being removed from the building, Associated Press news agency reported.

Several wounded were also brought out of the building, where emergency vehicles are positioned.

President Putin has been informed of the end of the operation by special forces, and efforts to remove mines have begun.