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 a terrorist blew himself 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.

MOSCOW, January 24 (RIA Novosti)