We'll track down airport terror gang, vows Russian president

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev led international condemnation of the Moscow terror attack last night and promised that its plotters would be "tracked down and punished".

As the Foreign Office investigated reports that two UK nationals were among the dead at Domodedovo airport, Mr Medvedev expressed his "heartfelt condolences" for the victims' families.

"Security will be strengthened at large transport hubs," he said.

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"We mourn the victims of the terrorist attack at Domodedovo airport. The organisers will be tracked down and punished."

He postponed his flight to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he had been due to deliver the opening speech today.

Prime Minister David Cameron "utterly condemned" the attack and offered Britain's "complete support" in a telephone call with Mr Medvedev, Downing Street said.

"He offered his condolences and sympathies to all those who had been affected by what he described as an appalling attack," a Number 10 spokeswoman said.

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"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'."

Foreign Secretary William Hague said UK officials were in "urgent contact" with the Russian authorities to establish what happened and to provide support to any UK nationals who may have been affected.

Mr Hague said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened at today's explosion at Moscow's Domodedovo airport with the loss of many lives.

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"On behalf of the UK, I send condolences to all those who have lost relatives or been injured."

British Airways operates three flights daily from the airport while BMI operates two flights.

A BMI spokeswoman said flight BD891 landed at 4.33pm local time with 97 passengers on board. The blast went off shortly afterwards.

The spokeswoman said all the passengers had disembarked before the incident, adding: "All the BMI crew are accounted for.

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"We are waiting for information about whether the passengers were caught up in the incident from the authorities in Moscow."

The operator cancelled a flight to Moscow, which had been due to depart last night, and a return flight which had been due to leave the Russian capital this morning.

A BA spokeswoman said flight BA872 landed at 3.46pm local time with 165 passengers on board.

A second BA flight, which left London en route to Moscow at 12.30pm yesterday, was turned back towards the UK.

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US President Barack Obama said the attack had been an "outrageous act of terrorism".

"I want to express the solidarity of the American people with the Russian people in the aftermath of this premeditated attack against innocent civilians," he added.

"We share your sorrow and a resolve to stand with you in our common fight against those who use terrorism for their political goals.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we are praying for a successful recovery for all of those who were injured."