Explosion at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow
As many as 31 people have been killed in an explosion at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport.
A further 100 more people are thought to have been injured during the incident.
Sergei Markin of Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the explosion was located in the airport’s international arrivals hall.
A suicide bomber is believed to have been behind the blast.
In response to the attack Russian president Dmitry Medvedev ordered security to be tightened at all of the country’s airports and transportation hubs.
“It is necessary to step up security at all airports, railway stations and transportations hubs,” Medvedev said following an emergency meeting.
“I order you, transport minister Igor Levitin together with interior minister Rashid Nurgaliyev to employ the relevant procedures in cooperation with the Federal Security Service.”
Flights bound for Domodedovo are presently being diverted to Vnukovo airport.
Suicide Bomber
If confirmed the incident will be the second suicide bombing in the Russian capital in under a year.
On March 29th 2010 two female suicide bombers detonated devices on the Moscow metro.
Official reports stated 39 people died and that many more were injured in that incident.
The Foreign Office is seeking to establish whether any British nationals were involved in the lastest bombing, with British Airways and BMI flights having arrived shortly before the blast.
However, the government body has previously warned of risks associated with terrorism in the country.
“There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers,” read a statement.
Domodedovo Airport
Domodedovo Airport is located in Domodedovsky District, Moscow Oblast, Russia, some 26 miles south-east of the centre of the city.
It is the largest airport in Russia in terms of passenger and cargo traffic and is one of the three major Moscow airports - along with Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo.
Last year the airport welcomed 22.23million passengers, an increase of 19.2 per cent increase over 2009.