diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 013a03c..b08e42e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -637,6 +637,7 @@ If there are no 'ready' tasks in the queue, returns nil.
 * `tube:bury(task_id)` - buries a task
 * `tube:kick(count)` - digs out `count` tasks
 * `tube:peek(task_id)` - return the task state by ID
+* `tube:tasks_by_state(task_state)` - return the iterator to tasks in a certain state
 * `tube:truncate()` - delete all tasks from the tube. Note that `tube:truncate`
 must be called only by the user who created this tube (has space ownership) OR
 under a `setuid` function. Read more about `setuid` functions
diff --git a/queue/abstract.lua b/queue/abstract.lua
index 74c97d6..5866ae7 100644
--- a/queue/abstract.lua
+++ b/queue/abstract.lua
@@ -63,6 +63,26 @@ queue.driver = {
     limfifottl  = require('queue.abstract.driver.limfifottl')
 }
 
+local function tube_release_all_tasks(tube)
+    local prefix = ('queue: [tube "%s"] '):format(tube.name)
+
+    -- We lean on stable iterators in this function.
+    -- https://github.com/tarantool/tarantool/issues/1796
+    if not qc.check_version({1, 7, 5}) then
+        log.error(prefix .. 'no stable iterator support: skip task releasing')
+        log.error(prefix .. 'some tasks may stuck in taken state perpetually')
+        log.error(prefix .. 'update tarantool to >= 1.7.5 or take the risk')
+    end
+
+    log.info(prefix .. 'releasing all taken task (may take a while)')
+    local released = 0
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.TAKEN) do
+        tube.raw:release(task[1])
+        released = released + 1
+    end
+    log.info(prefix .. ('released %d tasks'):format(released))
+end
+
 -- tube methods
 local tube = {}
 
@@ -515,7 +535,11 @@ function method.start()
         })
     end
 
-    _queue:pairs():each(recreate_tube)
+    for _, tube_tuple in _queue:pairs() do
+        local tube = recreate_tube(tube_tuple)
+        -- gh-66: release all taken tasks on start
+        tube_release_all_tasks(tube)
+    end
 
     session.on_disconnect(queue._on_consumer_disconnect)
     return queue
diff --git a/queue/abstract/driver/fifo.lua b/queue/abstract/driver/fifo.lua
index 2440cb9..8b4e954 100644
--- a/queue/abstract/driver/fifo.lua
+++ b/queue/abstract/driver/fifo.lua
@@ -121,6 +121,11 @@ function method.peek(self, id)
     return self.space:get{id}
 end
 
+-- get iterator to tasks in a certain state
+function method.tasks_by_state(self, task_state)
+    return self.space.index.status:pairs(task_state)
+end
+
 function method.truncate(self)
     self.space:truncate()
 end
diff --git a/queue/abstract/driver/fifottl.lua b/queue/abstract/driver/fifottl.lua
index bacfa85..7e095e8 100644
--- a/queue/abstract/driver/fifottl.lua
+++ b/queue/abstract/driver/fifottl.lua
@@ -348,6 +348,11 @@ function method.peek(self, id)
     return self.space:get{id}
 end
 
+-- get iterator to tasks in a certain state
+function method.tasks_by_state(self, task_state)
+    return self.space.index.status:pairs(task_state)
+end
+
 function method.truncate(self)
     self.space:truncate()
 end
diff --git a/queue/abstract/driver/utube.lua b/queue/abstract/driver/utube.lua
index bca41b7..3a42c64 100644
--- a/queue/abstract/driver/utube.lua
+++ b/queue/abstract/driver/utube.lua
@@ -151,6 +151,11 @@ function method.peek(self, id)
     return self.space:get{id}
 end
 
+-- get iterator to tasks in a certain state
+function method.tasks_by_state(self, task_state)
+    return self.space.index.status:pairs(task_state)
+end
+
 function method.truncate(self)
     self.space:truncate()
 end
diff --git a/queue/abstract/driver/utubettl.lua b/queue/abstract/driver/utubettl.lua
index 83ea5b7..02451dc 100644
--- a/queue/abstract/driver/utubettl.lua
+++ b/queue/abstract/driver/utubettl.lua
@@ -370,6 +370,11 @@ function method.peek(self, id)
     return self.space:get{id}
 end
 
+-- get iterator to tasks in a certain state
+function method.tasks_by_state(self, task_state)
+    return self.space.index.status:pairs(task_state)
+end
+
 function method.truncate(self)
     self.space:truncate()
 end
diff --git a/t/000-init.t b/t/000-init.t
index 537e38e..d988671 100755
--- a/t/000-init.t
+++ b/t/000-init.t
@@ -43,5 +43,5 @@ test:test('access to queue after box.cfg{}', function(test)
 end)
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/001-tube-init.t b/t/001-tube-init.t
index 77de030..9f03c42 100755
--- a/t/001-tube-init.t
+++ b/t/001-tube-init.t
@@ -23,5 +23,5 @@ test:test('test queue mock addition', function(test)
 end)
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/010-fifo.t b/t/010-fifo.t
index 300b892..834176b 100755
--- a/t/010-fifo.t
+++ b/t/010-fifo.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ local yaml  = require('yaml')
 local fiber = require('fiber')
 
 local test = require('tap').test()
-test:plan(14)
+test:plan(15)
 
 local queue = require('queue')
 local state = require('queue.abstract.state')
@@ -292,6 +292,36 @@ test:test('if_not_exists test', function(test)
     test:isnt(tube, tube_new, "if_not_exists if tube doesn't exists")
 end)
 
+test:test('Get tasks by state test', function(test)
+    test:plan(2)
+    local tube = queue.create_tube('test_task_it', 'fifo')
+
+    for i = 1, 10 do
+        tube:put('test_data' .. tostring(i))
+    end
+    for i = 1, 4 do
+        tube:take(0.001)
+    end
+
+    local count_taken = 0
+    local count_ready = 0
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.READY) do
+        if task[2] == state.READY then
+            count_ready = count_ready + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.TAKEN) do
+        if task[2] == state.TAKEN then
+            count_taken = count_taken + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    test:is(count_ready, 6, 'Check tasks count in a ready state')
+    test:is(count_taken, 4, 'Check tasks count in a taken state')
+end)
+
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/020-fifottl.t b/t/020-fifottl.t
index dfeceaf..4a94769 100755
--- a/t/020-fifottl.t
+++ b/t/020-fifottl.t
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 local fiber = require('fiber')
 
 local test = require('tap').test()
-test:plan(15)
+test:plan(16)
 
 local queue = require('queue')
 local state = require('queue.abstract.state')
@@ -262,7 +262,36 @@ test:test('buried task in a dropped queue', function(test)
     test:ok(true, 'queue does not hang')
 end)
 
+test:test('Get tasks by state test', function(test)
+    test:plan(2)
+    local tube = queue.create_tube('test_task_it', 'fifottl')
+
+    for i = 1, 10 do
+        tube:put('test_data' .. tostring(i))
+    end
+    for i = 1, 4 do
+        tube:take(0.001)
+    end
+
+    local count_taken = 0
+    local count_ready = 0
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.READY) do
+        if task[2] == state.READY then
+            count_ready = count_ready + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.TAKEN) do
+        if task[2] == state.TAKEN then
+            count_taken = count_taken + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    test:is(count_ready, 6, 'Check tasks count in a ready state')
+    test:is(count_taken, 4, 'Check tasks count in a taken state')
+end)
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/030-utube.t b/t/030-utube.t
index 384db5c..ffd9213 100755
--- a/t/030-utube.t
+++ b/t/030-utube.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ local yaml  = require('yaml')
 local fiber = require('fiber')
 
 local test = (require('tap')).test()
-test:plan(11)
+test:plan(12)
 
 local queue = require('queue')
 local state = require('queue.abstract.state')
@@ -156,6 +156,36 @@ test:test('if_not_exists test', function(test)
     test:isnt(tube, tube_new, "if_not_exists if tube doesn't exists")
 end)
 
+test:test('Get tasks by state test', function(test)
+    test:plan(2)
+    local tube = queue.create_tube('test_task_it', 'utube')
+
+    for i = 1, 10 do
+        tube:put('test_data' .. tostring(i), { utube = i })
+    end
+    for i = 1, 4 do
+        tube:take(0.001)
+    end
+
+    local count_taken = 0
+    local count_ready = 0
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.READY) do
+        if task[2] == state.READY then
+            count_ready = count_ready + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.TAKEN) do
+        if task[2] == state.TAKEN then
+            count_taken = count_taken + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    test:is(count_ready, 6, 'Check tasks count in a ready state')
+    test:is(count_taken, 4, 'Check tasks count in a taken state')
+end)
+
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/040-utubettl.t b/t/040-utubettl.t
index a9d37f1..5af2d9f 100755
--- a/t/040-utubettl.t
+++ b/t/040-utubettl.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ local yaml  = require('yaml')
 local fiber = require('fiber')
 
 local test = (require('tap')).test()
-test:plan(16)
+test:plan(17)
 
 local queue = require('queue')
 local state = require('queue.abstract.state')
@@ -257,6 +257,36 @@ test:test('ttl after delay test', function(test)
     test:is(task.ttr, TTR * 1000000, 'check TTR after release')
 end)
 
+test:test('Get tasks by state test', function(test)
+    test:plan(2)
+    local tube = queue.create_tube('test_task_it', 'utubettl')
+
+    for i = 1, 10 do
+        tube:put('test_data' .. tostring(i), { utube = i })
+    end
+    for i = 1, 4 do
+        tube:take(0.001)
+    end
+
+    local count_taken = 0
+    local count_ready = 0
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.READY) do
+        if task[2] == state.READY then
+            count_ready = count_ready + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    for _, task in tube.raw:tasks_by_state(state.TAKEN) do
+        if task[2] == state.TAKEN then
+            count_taken = count_taken + 1
+        end
+    end
+
+    test:is(count_ready, 6, 'Check tasks count in a ready state')
+    test:is(count_taken, 4, 'Check tasks count in a taken state')
+end)
+
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/050-ttl.t b/t/050-ttl.t
index ece3d1b..4f76fd7 100755
--- a/t/050-ttl.t
+++ b/t/050-ttl.t
@@ -58,5 +58,5 @@ test:test('many messages, one queue utttl', function (test)
 end)
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/060-async.t b/t/060-async.t
index 37f7ca3..8737501 100755
--- a/t/060-async.t
+++ b/t/060-async.t
@@ -54,5 +54,5 @@ end)
 
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua:
diff --git a/t/070-compat.t b/t/070-compat.t
index 7b3e345..a78b5dd 100755
--- a/t/070-compat.t
+++ b/t/070-compat.t
@@ -42,5 +42,5 @@ test:test("check compatibility names", function(test)
     test:is(str_name("1.7.1-168"),   "str",      "check old name (str)")
 end)
 
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua:
diff --git a/t/080-otc-cb.t b/t/080-otc-cb.t
index fcd8b95..7a6b5d7 100755
--- a/t/080-otc-cb.t
+++ b/t/080-otc-cb.t
@@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ test:test('on_task_change callback', function(test)
 end)
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/090-grant-check.t b/t/090-grant-check.t
index 084ddcf..110b64e 100755
--- a/t/090-grant-check.t
+++ b/t/090-grant-check.t
@@ -166,5 +166,5 @@ end)
 
 tnt.finish()
 
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :
diff --git a/t/100-limfifottl.t b/t/100-limfifottl.t
index 32aee3d..e78b064 100755
--- a/t/100-limfifottl.t
+++ b/t/100-limfifottl.t
@@ -68,5 +68,5 @@ else
 end
 
 tnt.finish()
-os.exit(test:check() == true and 0 or -1)
+os.exit(test:check() and 0 or 1)
 -- vim: set ft=lua :