31 killed in Moscow airport suicide bombing (Second Lead)

MOSCOW - At least 31 people were killed and over 130 injured in an apparent suicide bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport Monday, the Russian health ministry said.

The Russian Investigative Committee’s Transport Investigative Department confirmed that an explosion occurred at Domodedovo airport’s luggage reclaim zone at the international arrivals terminal, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

“According to available information, an explosion occurred at Domodedovo’s arrivals hall at 1622 Moscow time (1322 GMT),” Tatyana Morozova, spokeswoman for the investigation committee, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Preliminary reports suggested that it might be a suicide bombing, adding that scores of other people were injured.

Eyewitnesses said there was heavy smoke at the airport and entry from the arrivals zone has been closed. The smoke was hampering officials from counting the exact toll.

Interfax news agency said officials confirmed that the attack was the work of a suicide bomber.

DPA reported that the public prosecutor’s office earlier said there was an explosion but did not give the cause.

The injured were being taken to at least four hospitals around the area. The health ministry said among the 130 injured, 20 are in a serious condition.

All international flights to Domodedovo have been stopped. Security was tightened at other Moscow airports and on the capital’s underground rail system.

Domodedovo is an international airport located in Domodedovsky district, 42 km southeast of central Moscow. It is the largest airport in Russia in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. Around 22.25 million passengers used the airport in 2010. It is one of the three major Moscow airports along with Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo.