Moscow saw its second
suicide attack within less than 12 months, as about 30 people were killed and
some 170 injured in an explosion at the Domodedovo airport on Monday, according
to the latest figures released by Russian authorities.

Police stand guard outside the Domodedovo Airport in Moscow, capital of Russia, Jan. 24, 2011. At least 31 people were killed and over 130 others injured in an explosion at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport on Monday, the Russian Health Ministry said. (Xinhua/Wei Dafang)

The blast, most likely
conducted by a suicide terrorist, had an equivalent of 5-10 kg of TNT, local
media reported.

A few hours after the
blast, while situation in the airport remained calm, the security of the city
has been tightened up.

DETAILS OF ATTACK
VARY

The number of casualties
varied considerably so far. According to the spokesperson of the airport, the
death toll has hit 35 and nearly 170 were injured, while the governor of Moscow
region, Boris Gromov, said the bombing has claimed 34 lives and left 66 people
injured.

The Russian Health
Minister Tatyana Golikova said the confirmed death toll was 29.

Initial reports said that
the explosion happened at Domodedovo Airport’s luggage reclaim zone at the
international arrivals terminal. But a spokesperson for the Federal Customs
Services later said that the blast happened in the lounge area near the Asia
cafe next to an international departure area.

Some eyewitnesses said two
terrorists blew themselves up when people emerged from the international
arrivals zone soon after two planes have arrived there from London, local media
reported.

Russian Investigative
Committee spokesman told the media that the bombing “was most likely carried out
by a suicide terrorist.”

Investigators on the site
of bombing found the severed head of an “Arab-looking” man suspected of
perpetrating the attack, a law enforcement officer told Interfax news agency.

“He was aged between 30 to
35,” the source said, adding that traces of shrapnel have been found on the
lounge walls.

A law enforcement source
said three men have been wanted in connection with the explosion.

“According to
intelligence, three men may have been involved in masterminding the explosion.
They have been living in the vicinity of the capital for some time,” the source
was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Videotapes published on
personal blogs by several eyewitnesses show heavy smoke, and bodies scattered
across the lounge floor the bomb ripped through and emergency workers covering
the deads.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet