SIEM REAP, Cambodia, 17 June 2005 — Masked gunmen seized dozens of children at an international school yesterday near Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temples, killing a Canadian toddler with a shot to the head before police rescued the remaining hostages after a six-hour standoff.

Four attackers stormed Siem Reap International School at around 9 a.m., grabbing children from at least 15 countries and demanding money, weapons and a vehicle.

Gunfire broke out inside the school, and hostage takers later told police they killed the 3-year-old Canadian boy because he was crying too much. Police moved in after they “threatened to kill the other children one by one,” Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said.

Authorities said they managed to talk the attackers out of the building after giving them a minivan and $30,000 in cash. When the men got into the vehicle with four children, security forces closed the gate to the school compound and launched an assault, yanking the men from the van.

Nearly 40 children, some as young as 2, rushed past the school gate and into the arms of their panic-stricken parents — some of whom charged the hostage takers, beating three unconscious. Police shielded the fourth. All were taken into custody.

“I’m very relieved,” said Tan Seok Ho of Singapore, who rushed to the school when she heard about the crisis from a friend. Her youngest child Lyvong, 3, was among those taken and released unharmed. “I’m happy to have him back in my arms again.”

The crisis unfolded at Cambodia’s tourism hub of Siem Reap and quickly drew concern from governments around the region. The town in the country’s northwest brings in millions of dollars annually for the cash-strapped government and is home to hundreds of foreigners.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the yellow school house during the tense situation, and three armored personnel carriers were parked on the road.

The identity of the attackers was unclear, even after the standoff ended. Prime Minister Hun Sen said they appeared to be security guards at the school, but teachers later said they did not recognize them.

Deputy Military Police Commander Prak Chanthoeum said they were villagers from the southwestern province of Kandal, who had come to Siem Reap in search of work. They told police they decided to prey on foreign children because they thought their parents were rich.