In pictures: How Elian was seized

A dramatic sequence of photographs captured the few moments in which federal agents snatched Elian Gonzalez from the closet where he was being hidden in the Miami home of his great-uncle.

Moments before agents burst in, Elian was hiding with fisherman Donato Dalrymple in a bedroom closet

A border patrol agent enters the bedroom in search of the six-year-old boy

In an image subsequently broadcast around the world, the agent discovers Elian and Mr Dalrymple in the closet

Mr Dalrymple was later to say that agents pointed guns at the family, and shouted: "Give me the boy or I'll shoot you!"

Agent appears to spot photographer Alan Diaz, who - hearing a commotion - had gone into the house and was shown to the bedroom

Mr Diaz and NBC cameraman Tony Zumbado had been waiting on the lawn next door to the house when the raid started

Mr Dalrymple hands Elian over to a female federal officer - the first step towards reuniting the boy with his father