Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered prosecutors to inspect Moscow airports hit by lengthy delays after an ice storm, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
Severe freezing rain, which covered the entire territory of Central Russia over the weekend, caused serious power outages and disrupted public transportation and airports.
Investigators will check whether airport authorities and air carriers have taken "all necessary measures" to comply with legislation on air transport and passenger services in emergency situations, a Kremlin spokesperson said.
Thousands of passengers spent the night waiting for flights at Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports due to power outages and runway ice. Many are stranded beyond passport control. Passengers have complained about the lack of clear information from the airport and air companies.
"Things are getting tough here," London-bound passenger William Bennetts, 63, told RIA Novosti via a text message after almost 24 hours waiting for a BMI flight. "No info, hardly any food."
A source at Russia's Aeroflot air carrier told RIA Novosti on Tuesday that some enraged passengers had beaten up several company officials at Sheremetyevo.
"Several staff members, including women, were beaten up while trying to calm down passengers," the source said, adding that the airport lacked security personnel. OMON riot police have since been brought in to maintain order.
Domodedovo authorities reported on Tuesday afternoon that the airport has served 168 flights in the past 24 hours and is planning to handle a total of 350 flights by the end of Tuesday.
"The situation [at the airport] is calm, in general," said Yelena Galanova, the airport's press secretary.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin offered regional authorities help in tackling the situation at the airports, which are under jurisdiction of the Moscow Region administration.
Russian air traffic authorities earlier said the situation at the airports could be normalized in the next two to three days.
MOSCOW, December 28 (RIA Novosti)
