MOSCOW, January 24, 2011 (RIA Novosti)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered on Monday that security be increased at all of the country's airports and transportation hubs after a suicide bombing killed at least 31 people at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport.

At least another 130 people were injured in the blast that ripped through the airport's international arrivals hall at 4:32 p.m. Moscow time.

"It is necessary to step up security at all airports, railway stations and transportations hubs," Medvedev said at 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."

Reports say the suicide bomber was located among a crowd at the international arrivals gate.

Suicide Attack at Moscow Airport Kills Over 30

A suicide attack on Moscow’s Domodedovo airport claimed the lives of over 30 people and injured many more on Monday, officials said.

Eyewitnesses said two terrorists blew themselves up as people emerged from the international arrivals zone at 16:40.

Russia’s Health Ministry said 31 people died and many dozens were injured in the attack.

Airport employees broke down the wall between the main airport and the arrivals zone to allow passengers to escape the scene of destruction.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been informed about the blast. President Dmitry Medvedev pledged assistance to the families of the dead and those injured in the attack.

Security has been tightened at other airports in the capital and the city’s metro system, which was hit by deadly terrorist attacks in March 2010.

Two planes which took off from the airport, Moscow’s busiest, were blown up by female Chechen suicide bombers in August 2004.

Criminal case opened over Moscow airport suicide bombing

A criminal case had been opened over a suicide attack that hit Moscow's busy Domodedovo International Airport on Monday, killing at least 31 people and injuring about 130, a spokesman for the Investigative Committee of the Russian Prosecutor's Office said.

The blast occurred at about 04:32 p.m. Moscow time (13:32 GMT) at the international arrivals gate. Twenty of those injured were reported to have been admitted to hospitals in serious condition.

A suicide bomber was reported to have detonated himself in the crowd at the arrival gate.

The explosion was estimated to be equal to 5kg of TNT.

Explosion at Moscow's airport kills at least 31

MOSCOW, Jan. 24, 2011 (Xinhua) --

At least 31 people were killed and over 130 were injured in an explosion at Moscow's Domodedovo airport on Monday, the Russian Health Ministry said.

The Russian Investigative Committee's Transport Investigative Department has confirmed that an explosion occurred at Domodedovo Airport's luggage reclaim zone at the international arrivals terminal.

"According to available information, an explosion occurred at Domodedovo's arrivals hall at 16:22 Moscow time (1322 GMT)," a spokeswoman for the investigation committee, Tatyana Morozova, said.

The preliminary reports suggest that it might be a suicide bombing, a source told local media.

The Health Ministry said among the 130 injured, 20 are in serious condition.

Eyewitnesses said there is a heavy smoke at the Moscow airport and the entry from the arrivals zone has been closed.

A source said the blast was equivalent to some 5 kg of TNT.

Moscow police has tightened the security in the city's other airports and metro system. Enditem

Editor: yan

Scores killed in Moscow airport blast Mon

Press TV, Jan 24, 2011 2:35PM

At least 31 people have been killed in an explosion at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport -- the busiest in the Russian capital.

The blast, which occurred at one of the airport's international arrivals halls, has also left 130 people injured.

People were evacuated from the airport after reports of large amounts of smoke near a baggage carousel.

"According to preliminary information, the explosive device was set off by a…bomber in the international departures hall," Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed security source as saying.

Moscow police have stepped up security across the city after the explosion.

"All the patrols are looking for suspicious people and objects in public places," an unnamed law enforcement official told Interfax. "They are paying particular attention to transport."

Spokespeople for the city's two other passenger airports said security measures were heightened after the blast with all luggage being searched and staff examining footage from security cameras in the terminals.

The airport is 40 km (25 miles) south-east of the city center, and is popular with foreign workers and tourists flying into the city.

MD/AKM/MMN