Vladimir Markin, spokesman of Russian Investigation Committee,said, "Explosives experts and the Federal Security Service have just completed their work. According to preliminary information, the explosion was in the very centre of the arrivals hall of the international terminal. In all likelihood, the explosion was carried out by a suicide terrorist."

A woman cries while talking on the phone to an acquaintance who is at Domodedovo airport, as she travels by train to the airport from Moscow January 24, 2011.

The Interfax news agency reports that Russian intelligence services are looking for 3 men who may have masterminded the explosion. They are thought to have been living in the vicinity of the capital for some time.

Analysts believe rebels waging an Islamist insurgency in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus, are planning an increase in their violent campaign in 2011, as the country prepares for the 2012 presidential elections.

The attack comes just 10 months after two female suicide bombers set off explosives in the city's underground rail network, killing 40 people.

Chechen militants have claimed responsibility for previous attacks in Moscow.