Makhachkala airport fully resumes operation - Dagestan head

MAKHACHKALA. Oct 31 (Interfax) - The Makhachkala airport hit by unrest on Sunday night has fully resumed operation, Dagestan head Sergei Melikov said on Tuesday.

"Our airport has fully resumed operation. Twenty-four arrivals and 28 departures are scheduled for today alone. In total, about 3,000 passengers will use the airport's services today," Melikov said on Telegram.

Tickets are sold out quickly, Melikov said. "This absurd and useless 'action' has failed to scare people off," he said.

On Sunday night, the Federal Air Transport Agency announced the temporary closure of the Makhachkala airport for arrivals and departures, as unknown persons had broken into the airport apron.

It would take two or three days to repair the airport while all flights would be rerouted, Melikov said earlier.

A criminal case was opened on charges of organizing mass unrest through calls for illegal actions at the Makhachkala airport, the press service for the Russian Interior Ministry branch in the North Caucasus Federal District said.

The Dagestani Health Ministry said about 20 people were hurt in the riots, and the Interior Ministry said the casualties included nine police officers.

Law enforcement agencies are fully in control of the airport.

Dozens have been detained and the rioters' homes have been searched. The central staff of the Russian Investigative Committee is investigating criminal cases against the detainees.