Bomb Attack At Moscow's Domodedovo Airport

At least 35 people have been killed and more than 130 injured in a suicide bomb attack at Moscow's Domodedovo airport, reports said today. Reports suggest that at least two people injured in the blast were foreigners.

The explosion ripped through the arrivals hall in Moscow's busiest airport blowing bodies across the terminal.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber.

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Airport security said that ball bearings, screws and shrapnel had been found around the blast area.

A BMI flight and a BA flight - both out of Heathrow - had touched down at the airport around the time of the huge blast.

There were 165 people on board the BA flight and 97 on the BMI flight .

Russian investigator Tatyana Morozova told local news agencies the blast happened in the baggage claim area.

The airport is the busiest of Moscow's three commercial airports and is located 13 miles south-east of the Russian capital.

Moscow police were checking subways and busy pedestrian areas as a precaution following the blast, it was reported.

The Russian investigative committee said in a statement: "Today at 4:32 pm - local time - an explosion went off in the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport."

Briton Mark Green, who was on a BA flight that landed just before the explosion, said there were THOUSANDS of people in the baggage collection area at the time of the blast.

He said: "We were walking out through the exit of the arrivals hall towards the car, and there was this almighty explosion, a huge bang, we didn't know it was an explosion at the time, and my colleague and I looked at each other and said 'Christ that sounds like a car bomb or something', because the noise was, literally, it shook you."

He also described scenes of mass panic and told how he gave water to a Russian man covered in blood who had escaped the blast.

The Foreign Office today said it was "urgently investigating" whether any British nationals may have been caught in the bombing.

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."

After the explosion, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev told Russian state television a commission of inquiry would be established "to conduct urgent on-the-spot investigations".

He said: "After previous similar events, we passed appropriate legislation, and we have to check how it has been applied. Because obviously there have been lapses, and we have to get to the bottom of this."

He also said that those behind the attacks would be punished.

Police are hunting for three suspects in connection with the bombing, Russian media report.

All flights from Domodedovo have been suspended since the blast, while incoming flights are being diverted to Moscow's Sheremetevo airport.

Medvedev also said initial reports confirmed the bomb had been terrorist attack.

So far no group has claimed responsibility, but Russia is battling a Muslim insurgency in the North Caucasus with previous terror attacks targeting Moscow.

In March last year, two female suicide bombers, both from the North Caucasus region of Dagestan, killed 40 people in a pair of coordinated attacks on the Moscow metro during the morning rush hour.

BMI have said worried friends and relatives should call their helpline on 08000148914. - The Sun

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