Putin announces compensation worth $100,000 for blast victims

Moscow, Jan 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Families of those killed in a deadly terrorist attack at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport Monday will receive three million rubles ($100,000) each as compensation from the government, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

At least 35 people died and up to 180 were injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in the airport’s arrivals zone.

Those who suffered severe injuries will be compensated 1.9 million rubles ($63,000) each, while those with smaller injuries will be awarded 1.2 million rubles ($40,000) each, the prime minister said.

Putin also pledged to punish the terrorists behind the attack.

“I have no doubt this crime will be solved, and revenge will be inevitable,” he said.

In December, the Domodedovo airport was the site of a transport collapse following serious power outages in the Moscow region caused by rain.

Vyacheslav Nekrasov, the airport’s director, who was criticised for failing to deal with passengers during mass flight delays, was dismissed and succeeded by Igor Borisov, the former head of the Domodedovo Passenger Service.

In August 2004, two planes which took off from the airport were blown up by female Chechen suicide bombers, who reportedly bribed their way through security checks to get on board. A total of 90 people were killed in the simultaneous mid-air explosions.

–IANS/RIA Novosti