(Updated) Suicide Bomber at Russian Airport Kills 35, Wounds 180
- Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:17am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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MOSCOW (AP) — A suicide bomber carrying a suitcase walked into Moscow’s busiest airport and set off a huge explosion Monday, killing 35 people and wounding 180.
The international arrivals terminal at Domodedovo Airport was engulfed by smoke and splattered with body parts after the mid-afternoon terror attack sprayed shrapnel, screws and ball bearings at passengers and workers. Hundreds of people were in the loosely guarded area at the time.
President Dmitry Medvedev immediately ordered authorities to beef up security at Moscow’s two other commercial airports and other key transport facilities. He also canceled plans to fly out Tuesday to Davos, Switzerland, where he was going to promote Russia as a safe, profitable investment haven to world business leaders.
“Attempts were being made to identify” the suspected male suicide bomber, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said, adding that the attacker appeared to have been wearing the explosives in a belt.
The Interfax news agency said the head of the suspected bomber had been found.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, which occurred at 4:32 p.m. (1332GMT). But Chechen militants have claimed responsibility for previous terror attacks in Moscow, including a double suicide bombing on the subway in March 2010 that killed 40 people and wounded more than 100.
The latest attack on the Russian capital also called into question Russia’s ability to safely host major international sports events like the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 World Cup. It was the second time in seven years that terrorists had hit the Domodedovo Airport: In 2004, suicide bombers penetrated the lax security there, killing 90 people as they blew up two planes.
Large-scale battles in Chechnya ended years ago, following two devastating wars between Russia and the republic’s separatists, but Islamic militants have continued to carry out suicide bombings and other attacks. Most of the attacks have been in Chechnya and other predominantly Muslim provinces in the southern Caucasus region, but some have targeted Moscow, including its subways, buses and trains.
In Washington, President Barack Obama condemned the “outrageous act of terrorism” and offered any assistance Russia might want. Those comments were echoed by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who spoke with Medvedev and assured him of his complete support.
The Emergencies Ministry said 35 people were killed, 86 hospitalized with injuries and 94 were given medical treatment. Two Britons were among the dead, Markin said.
Amateur video posted on YouTube showed a pile of bodies on the airport floor, and other bodies scattered around. Luggage lay strewn across the ground and several small fires burned. A dazed man in a suit pushed a baggage cart through the carnage.
Another man in blood-soaked clothes said he was just a few yards (meters) away from the explosion and saw a man who may have been the suicide bomber.
“I saw the suitcase, the suitcase was on fire,” said Artyom Zhilenkov, a 35-year-old driver. “So either the man blew up something, or something went off on the man’s body, or the suitcase went off.”
Zhilenkov said he thought he himself had been injured but doctors said he was just coated in other victims’ blood.
“The guy standing next to me was torn to pieces,” he said.
Car rental agent Alexei Spiridonov, 25, was at his desk when the blast struck about 100 yards (meters) away.
“The explosion was so strong that it threw me against the wall,” he said outside the airport. “People were panicking, rushing out of the hall or looking for their relatives. There were people just lying in blood.”
Yelena Zatserkovnaya, a Lufthansa official, said airport workers used baggage trolleys to cart out the injured.
“There was lots of blood, severed legs flying around,” she said.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered the health minister to make sure all victims received immediate attention, instructing her to send her deputies to clinics to check on treatment.
Russians still look to the tough-talking Putin as the leader they trust to guarantee their security, and Monday’s attack was likely to strengthen the position of the security forces that form part of his base.
Sergei Lavochkin, who was waiting for a friend to arrive from Cuba, said passengers sprinted out of the terminal after the blast and emergency teams carried out those unable to walk.
“I heard a loud bang, saw plastic panels falling down from the ceiling and heard people screaming. Then people started running away,” Lavochkin told Rossiya 24 television.
Aviation security experts have been warning since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that the crowds at many airports present tempting targets to suicide bombers. Arrivals halls are usually open to anyone.
“Airports are by their nature crowded places, with meeters, greeters, commercial businesses, and so on,” said Philip Baum, the editor of Aviation Security International, a London-based publication dedicated to security issues.
Domodedovo was briefly closed to air traffic immediately after the blast, but soon reopened. Hours later, passengers arriving for their flights lined up outside waiting to pass through metal detectors that had been installed at all entrances.
Built in 1964, Domodedovo is located 26 miles (42 kilometers) southeast of Moscow and is the largest of the three major airports that serve the Russian capital, handling over 22 million people last year. It is generally regarded as Moscow’s most up-to-date airport, but its security procedures have been called into question.
In 2004, two suicide bombers were able to board planes at Domodedovo by buying tickets illegally from airport personnel. The female bombers blew themselves up in mid-air, killing all 90 people aboard the two flights.
Some 77 airlines now offer regular flights to Domodedovo, serving 241 international and national routes, according to airport’s website.
The airport insists that security is one of its top priorities, claiming on its website that its “cutting-edge operations technology guarantees the safety of passengers‘ and guests’ lives.”
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was “deeply disturbed” by the terror attack.
“I strongly condemn it,” he said on Twitter. “NATO and Russia stand together in the fight against terrorism.”
It was not clear late Monday if Medvedev would still give the opening address Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter was in St. Petersburg over the weekend to formally award Russia the 2018 World Cup. Prior to the signing, Blatter told Putin that he was certain FIFA had made the right choice.
—–
AP writers Lynn Berry, Vladimir Isachenkov and David Nowak in Moscow contributed to this report.
This is a breaking story. Updates will be added. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (76)
Rodster
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:10amLet me guess. The religion of “Rest in Peace” was behind this?
Report Post »JUSTSAYIN
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:05amit’s that Russian Tea Party,,, their Conservative Radio is to blame,, no,, it‘s Sarah Palin’s fault,, she has been showing “targets” on airports in Russia,, no it’s “W’s” fault,,, sorry old President didn’t care about people,,, no, it’s the second amendment in Russia,,, no,, let’s see,, it’s ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, NO,,, can’t be,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,NOT THE RELIGION OF PEACE???????????????? say it ain‘t so lefty’s,,, say it ain’t so,,, no , that’s right, it’s the Right To Life Crowd,,,, no,,, it’s those conservative Born Again Christians,,, no, it‘s Fox News Fair And Balanced Network’s fault,,,,,,,,,,, the person(s) who planted the bomb is innocent,,, it’s all “their” faults,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, yep,,, lefty’s,,,,,,,,,,,,, it‘s the right’s fault,,, :)
Report Post »tblrk2006
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:00amSara Palin, the tea party, talk radio, and gun owners in the USA are to blame. What we need is putin shirtless on a horse………. or shirtless hunting something, to explain this to us.
In all honesty, Pray for those caught up in this. The religion of peace strikes again.
Report Post »NateD
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:54amIs someone biting the hand that feeds them? Hmmmm we shall see.
Report Post »happyboy
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:27amA MAN WHO LOOKED LIK OBAMA WAS SEEN RUNNING OUT OF AIRPORT JUST BEFORE EXPLOSION.
Can we blame it on Obama this time. Obama has been acting crazy lately hasn’t he?
Report Post »WakeUp
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:38amNo, because it was a communist airport. He would never do anything to offend his friends.
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:25amCouldn’t have been, he is too busy crapping his pants over LU.
Report Post »MaggieRose
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:41amHe’s not acting…
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:19amSooner or later, the world will be forced to get together and actually combat this problem together. Anyone who isn’t a Muslim is an enemy in their eyes. They don’t believe in being tolerant no matter how hard Katie Couric tries to convince them that we should be loved by them.
They (the Muslim extremists) don’t even like each other, as any difference to what they beleive in is cause for death. Christians, Jews, Budddists, and every other peaceful religion in the world needs to stand up and fight this. We need to be on the offense, not the defense.
Report Post »liriadavila
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:03amTerrorists on Russia?
Report Post »KEA
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:00amAnd I bet it took place at the check in side of the security which has no security! Thus, our airports are just as vulnerable at the check in areas and now that people had to die to convince them of this problem we might imnplement a fix. Not sure what that fix is as I am fed up with Government intervention but its clear if someone wanted to do harm the airport ticket counters would be a prime target.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:58amIt is disturbing that this could have happened at an airport and if it actually is a suicide bomber.
Report Post »I’ll reserve the rest of my opinions until the facts shake out later.
jackkemo
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:55amChechnyan rebels …… I’m taking bets , anyone interested ?
Report Post »WakeUp
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:37amChechnyan rebels ARE Muslims. Do some homework.
Report Post »justanamerican
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:38amNo kidding
Report Post »blanco
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:53amSo Pukin will appear shirtless on a horse with his man boobs showing and give us a comment on this.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:46amGetting news out of Russia is about like
waiting for the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol to show up.
Good luck with that.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:45amIts the vodka party. Its Russias verson of the T Party
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:03amIn my family it is the long island tea tarty.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:43amWho to Blame?….Who to blame…… Hindu suicide bomber???? Sikkh suicide bomber??? 95 year old grandma suicide bomber???? Amish suicide bomber?????? Christian suicide bomber???? These are ALL so common, I just cannot figure this one out. (Sarcasm dripping, hope I didn’t get any on you)
Report Post »blanco
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:55amLove it!
Report Post »Blight14
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:00amCome on silly, it was most certainly a Mormon, you know how dang violent THEY are……..
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:19am(lol) I new I forgot someone!!!
Report Post »catndahat
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:38amOf course, it’s good no one jumped the gun and said the bomber was a muslim…probably it was someone upset with Obamacare.
Report Post »justanamerican
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:50amHa !!!!! Good one
Report Post »BOUT_HAD_ENOUGH
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:38amI guess there are two “Great Satans” now. Wake Heck up!
Report Post »WakeUp
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:38amGee, and I thought that conservative talk in the media, guns and explosives were all illegal there. I guess they need to pass another law that makes explosive “double illegal” That will do it!
Report Post »Highland
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:36amLet’s see how Vlad deals with it. He’s not quite the pansy his U.S. counterpart is.
Report Post »Happy Killmore
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:51amI don’t know… I thought they‘d turn Chechnya into a glowing glass parking lot after that school massacre in Beslan in 2004 but they didn’t really do much.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:33amIt does make you wonder!
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:32amWill the left blame George Bush for this? That is all Oblamabush has left….what a great strategy for democrats….we saw how well it worked on Nov 2nd…..
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:35amNo economic tragedy is Bushs’ fault. Violence is Sarah Palin and the Tea Party.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:47amNo economic tragedy is Bushs’ fault.
Report Post »Sorry, this reads wrong.
No. Economic tragedy is Bushs’ fault.
That is what I meant to say. I’ll try to edit better.
NickDeringer
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:28amDarn!! Sarah Palin has been busy this weekend.
Report Post »Insipid
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:34amHa, not that far of a trip from Alaska !. Oh Olberman isnt around any longer to blame her, woe is me, woe is me !
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:44amI wonder if Frances Fox Piven approves of this kind of thing?
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:21am@Insipid
Since Olbermann has gone from MSNBC do you think that the KGB would have called him back home for a formal debriefing and he got one? Too much pressure and hot air being released all at once may have occured…hmmm….
Report Post »john w. gault
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:25amAccident or terrorism?
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:52amNormally I would say an accident, however given the history of cessessionist terror bombing and attacks in Russia, that would be the most likely source of the explosion – a terror attack again.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:56amJohn,
Report Post »Baggage claims don’t “accidentally” blow up.
ConservativeFeminist
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:25amHow can they have violence with state controlled media? I wish “Morning Joe” would discuss this topic.
Report Post »blanco
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:52amFunny!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:17am“How can they have violence with state controlled media?”
Why not? We do.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 6:03pmThe Ruskies gettin a taste now… So….the enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend???
Report Post »Mackerel
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:24amWhich one of you said “cross hairs??
Report Post »ColoradoDad
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:51amSorry, I mean’t to say “intersecting folicles”!!!
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:12amWell said, Kate.
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:19amFine, I will avoid jumping to conclusions – do not have a parachute anyhow for the skydive downward, so I will just bring a bulldozer marked ‘terrorist remover services’ with the price listed as ‘cheap’ and employed with a ton of marines armed to the teeth with me.
Report Post »Diana
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:02amPraying for the injured and the families of those who were lost. We Americans know terror all too well, politics aside, we stand with the victims of terrorist and deeply sympathize. I am praying that this event stands alone and does not set off a string of further attacks. May God bless Russia and help them through this trying time. <3
(on another note, how many more minutes until Beck Rush and Sarah start getting blamed for this too?!)
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:21amhere we go
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:29amDo not jump to conclusions comrade.
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:32amMaybe someone just ate a bad batch of borst?
Report Post »legendarytwo
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:50amI bet our Marxist media can blame the Republicans for this.
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:51amAm I to assume the “religion of peace”?
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:51amLooks like the terrorists of Chechnia or one of the former Soviet States has struck again. I hope that, as bad as the losses are so far, no more deaths are confirmed. My prayers for the families of the lost and for the injured and their families are offered to the Almighty, during this time of need and fear.
May the justice deserved be deliver to the guilty, swiftly and with the full force of the law.
Report Post »justanamerican
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 9:53amThose darn TEA PARTY folks, having fun again……. Why can’t they be peaceful , like the muslims????????????
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:04amCouldn’t possibly be Muslim extremists. Has to be Palin inspired right wing tea partier probably wearing red G- string.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
Secret Squirrel
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:15amStop the presses!!
Report Post »It‘s Sara Palin’s fault.
What state is close to Russia? See!
Didn’t she target Russia? No? Well, she thought about it.
or.
If it turns out to be looney muslims, then “Let’s not rush to judgment.”
happyboy
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:24amDID PUTIN ORDER BOMBING OF AIRPORT?
Is this attempt for Putin to grabe more dictatorial power in Russia? There have been other bombings in Russia and not retalliation or anger. Things are beginning to get very chilly.
Report Post »snixy
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:47amwhy does no one note that Chechen rebels are sunni muslims? you would think they are just freedom fighters instead of another arm of the muslim terrorist organizations?
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:00pmMore for the religion of death and destruction. We are at war with Islamists around the world and they are at war with us, and every one else. Another wake up call.
Report Post »legendarytwo
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 8:52pmI wonder which pagan religion was responsible? Guess they never heard of “thou shalt not kill”.
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