Chechen rebels holding more than 700 people hostage in a Moscow theatre are reported to have separated them into different groups.
An official of the Russian crisis unit was quoted as saying men and women, foreign citizens, Russians and Ukrainians have been picked out and placed in separate rooms.
The official said it was unclear what prompted the measure, adding that the hostage-takers might be expecting Russian authorities to storm the building overnight.
Earlier today, the hostage-takers were reported to have fired grenades at two women who made a successful escape.
One of the women was injured and is being treated at a medical centre. The rebels, who have threatened to blow up the building if any attempt is made to storm it, are demanding that Russia end its military operations in Chechnya.
A 20 year old woman was shot dead last night as she tried to escape from the theatre.
