Condolences pour in after Moscow blast

Security personnel stand guard after the blast at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow.

Security personnel stand guard after the blast at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow.

Published Jan 25, 2011

Share

London - British Prime Minister David Cameron “utterly condemned” Monday's deadly suicide attack at a Moscow airport, adding: “We should never allow the terrorists to win”.

Cameron telephoned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to offer his condolences and support, a spokesperson said.

A Briton was among those killed in the attack, the Interfax news agency quoted a security source as saying, though the Foreign Office in London could not immediately confirm this when contacted by AFP.

“The prime minister utterly condemned today's explosion at Domodedovo airport,” the Downing Street spokesperson said.

“He offered his condolences and sympathies to all those who had been affected by what he described as an 'appalling attack'.

“The prime minister assured President Medvedev of his complete support and said that the Russian authorities could count on Britain for any assistance they needed.

“The prime minister made clear that the people of Britain stood with the people of Russia in the face of these events and said that 'we should never allow the terrorists to win'.”

Two flights from Britain landed at the airport shortly before the blast ripped through the baggage claims section of the arrivals hall.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said British officials were in “urgent contact” with the Russian authorities in case any British nationals were caught up in the attack.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said separately that consular staff including the consul general were on their way to the airport, while officials were also making contact with British airlines using Domodedovo.

British Airways said one of its flights from London landed at Domodedovo at 3.46pm local time - approximately 45 minutes before the bombing - with 165 passengers on board. Another BA flight turned back before landing.

British-based airline BMI said one of its flights landed at 4.30pm local time with 97 passengers on board. - AFP

Related Topics: