Twin suicide bombings kill 38 in Moscow subway stations (Fifth lead)

MOSCOW - Twin suicide bombings in Moscow’s busy Metro subway during the morning rush hour killed 38 people Monday in the worst terrorist attack in the Russian capital in six years.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 24 people were killed and 20 injured in the first blast at the Lubyanka station shortly before 8 a.m. (0400 GMT), Interfax reported.

The second explosion at the Park Kultury station killed 14 and wounded 15, Interfax reported, with that attack coming at 8.45 a.m.

Russia’s domestic intelligence organisation, the Federal Security Service (FSB), said both attacks were carried out by female suicide bombers, with the explosives believed to have weighed 1.5 kilograms and 3 kilograms.

Hundreds of rescue workers were rushed to the sites in what was the worst terror attack in Moscow since February 2004, when a Chechen suicide bomber killed 41 persons and injured 250 people in the Metro.

Television images from the scene showed the underground stations filled with dense smoke while survivors, blood seeping from facial wounds, sitting dazed and stunned as they waited for help.

So far, no group had claimed responsibility for the attacks. But investigators said the attacks were likely carried out by Islamic extremists, coming after repeated warnings from Islamic elements in the conflict-ridden North Caucasus region.

It was noted that the Lubyanka station is located close to the headquarters of the FSB the successor of the former Soviet-era KGB secret service.

Moscow prosecutor Yuri Semin said the two female attackers carried the explosives with them, but it was still being investigated whether the bombs were then set off remotely, via mobile phones.

The severed head and other body parts of the Park Kultury bomber, believed to be aged 18-20, were found by investigators combing the debris. They also found another explosive device, which had not gone off, the state news agency Novosti reported.

Russian leaders condemned the attacks and vowed strong efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

President Dmitry Medvedev, after observing a minute of silence for the victims of Monday’s suicide bombings, vowed a battle “to the end” against terrorism.

“We will lead our operations against the terrorists without compromises and to the end,” Medvedev said.

The president ordered stepped-up security measures in all the country’s transportation networks. Moscow’s airports were also put on a higher state of alert.

He called for increased vigilance throughout the country, and said that it was apparent that security measures had been inadequate.

Medvedev also called on the security service FSB and the country’s other security forces not to permit any destabilization in the country. He said the terror attacks were precisely planned to try to put the country and society off-balance.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin cut short a visit to Siberia after news of the bombings. In Krasnoyarsk, he called on authorities around the country to work closely together, as this was the only way to conquer the terrorists.

“I am certain that the security organs will do everything to find and punish the bandits,” he said, using Moscow’s term for the Islamic militants. He said those responsible must be “wiped out”.

Police called on city residents to remain vigilant against any further possible attacks.

Meanwhile leaders around the world condemned the bombings and expressed their solidarity with Moscow in the fight against terrorism.

Among others, US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Premier Gordon Brown, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero sent messages to Moscow. The European Union and NATO also condemned the bombings.