New Year's suicide bomb plot in Moscow failed because of spam text message

MOSCOW, RUSSIA: A New Year's Eve "Black Widow" suicide bombing attack in the Russian capital of Moscow failed because an unexpected text message which ignited the explosive earlier than planned, the Telegraph reported on Friday.

According to Russian security sources, as cited by the newspaper, the bomb could have killed hundreds of people as the planned explosion targeted Moscow's busy Red Square, but a 'Happy New Year's' message from the bomber's operator detonated the explosive belt, killing her and no one else.

The unnamed woman is believed to be a member of the same group that recently attacked Moscow's Domodedovo airport last Monday that killed 35 people and injured 202 others.

Russian terrorists commonly use cheap cell phones as detonators. When the suicide bomber is set in place, an accomplice sends a text message to trigger the explosive. The phones are usually turned off until the suicide bomber approaches the target, but Russian security sources believe they were careless.

After the explosion, which was detonated at the terrorists' safe house, two of her accomplices were seen fleeing the area.

Monday's blast at Domodedovo International Airport, which has been highly blamed on security breaches, happened in the international arrivals hall at 4.32 p.m. local time in a general area where persons who are not passengers have free access.

The explosion came less than 12 months after the Moscow metro blasts which killed dozens and was perpetrated by two female suicide bombers from the North Caucasus region.

(BNO NEWS )