Dozens dead in Moscow airport ‘suicide blast’
More than 30 people – reportedly including two Britons – are killed and more than 100 injured in a suicide bombing at Moscow’s biggest airport, Domodedovo.
There are conflicting accounts of the location of the blast, with some agencies reporting that the explosives were set off in the baggage claim area with others saying the blast occurred in a lounge area near Asia cafe.
But it is thought that the explosion ripped through the airport at 4.32pm local time.
Russia’s Interfax news agency says that measures are in place to prevent another explosion at the airport, but arrivals and departures continue.
Two flights from London Heathrow had arrived at Domodedovo airport shortly before the explosion.
The agency added that a criminal case has been opened into the Domodedovo blast on suspicion of terrorism.
The suicide bomber is believed to be an Islamic insurgent from the North Caucasus, the poorest region in the Russian Federation, and reports are circulating that officials are searching for three male suspects. At present, no group have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Reports suggest the explosive had the power of 7kg of TNT.
Urgent meeting
President Dimitry Medvedev held an urgent meeting with Russsia’s prosecutor general, the investigative committee chief and the transport minister. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been made aware of the blast.
Mr Medvedev had been due to fly out for the Davos international business forum in Switzerland, but delayed his departure.
The President ordered special security measures for all airports, rail terminals and other transport hubs, according to Interfax.
“Security will be strengthened at large transport hubs,” he wrote on Twitter.
“We mourn the victims of the terrorist attack at Domodedovo airport. The organisers will be tracked down and punished.”
Moscow suffered its worst attack in six years in March 2010 when two female suicide bombers from Russia’s volatile Dagestan region set off explosives in the Metro, killing 40 people.
The worst incident involving north Caucasus rebels took place in 2004 when militants seized control of a school in Beslan. When Russian troops stormed the building in an attempt to end a siege, 331 hostages, half of them children, were killed.
The Kremlin is struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus, and rebels have repeatedly vowed they will take their battle to the Russian heartland.
The rebels have vowed to take their bombing campaign to the Russian heartland, hitting transport and economic targets.
They have also levelled threats at the 2014 Winter Olympics, scheduled for Sochi, a region they claim as part of their “emirate”.
Hague ‘shock’
Here, the Foreign Office has issued an emergency telephone number for anyone concerned that relatives or friends may have been caught up in the attack on the airport. It’s 020 7008 1500.
At the time of writing, the Foreign Office could not confirm the reports that two British nationals were among the dead.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened at today’s explosion at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport with the loss of many lives.
“On behalf of the UK, I send condolences to all those who have lost relatives or been injured.
“British officials are in urgent contact with the Russian authorities to establish the facts and to provide consular support to any British nationals who may have been affected.”
The Prime Minister later spoke to President Medvedev to offer his condolences and support. He said the Russian authorities could count on Britain for any assistance they may require.
In Washington, US President Barack Obama also offered Russia as much assistance as it needed.
“I strongly condemn this outrageous act of terrorism against the Russian people at the Domodedovo Airport. I want to express the solidarity of the American people with the Russian people in the aftermath of this premeditated attack against innocent civilians,” Mr Obama said.
“Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to the Russian people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorism. We share your sorrow and a resolve to stand with you in our common fight against those who use terrorism for their political goals. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we are praying for a successful recovery for all of those who were injured.”
