Protesters storm Russian airport 'before arrival of flight from Israel'
World
Scores of protesters stormed the airport
(Web Desk) - Scores of Protesters stormed an airport in the Russian region of Dagestan on Sunday, reportedly ahead of the arrival of a flight from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
Unverified footage on social media showed crowds, some carrying Palestinian flags, running through a terminal at the Makhachkala airport, forcing open doors and making their way on to a runway.
Others were seen stopping cars outside the site and demanding to see documents in an apparent search for Israeli passports.
It is thought the mob intended to attack Israeli or Jewish passengers because of anger over the conflict in Gaza.
Dagestan is a constituent republic of Russia, but is located in the country’s far south and has a majority Muslim population.
In a statement, the Israeli government said that it viewed with “utmost gravity attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews anywhere”.
“Israel expects the Russian legal authorities to safeguard the well-being of all Israeli citizens and Jews wherever they are and to take strong action against the Protesters and against the wild incitement being directed against Jews and Israelis,” it said.
Dagestan's health ministry said a number of people had been injured in the incident and were receiving medial help, though did not provide any further details.
Regional governor Sergei Melikov said that “all Dagestanis empathise with the suffering” of people in Gaza but called the riot “outrageous” and said it would “receive the appropriate assessment from law enforcement”.
A criminal case has now been opened for civil disorder.
Authorities said on Sunday evening that all "unauthorised citizens" had been removed from the airport but that it was expected to remain closed until 6 November.
