The shootout occurred when a “foreign citizen,” who was not allowed to enter the country, opened fire at the Chisinau International Airport.

Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicu Popescu reacted to the incident and tweeted: "Tragic day for Moldova after the incident at Chisinau Intl Airport, resulting in two lives lost."

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We've mobilised all forces to ensure passengers' safety. The attacker is neutralised. Flights will be resumed soon," he said.

The country's special police force, Fulger, detained the perpetrator after the incident.

He was wounded during the action and received medical care, the Moldpres news agency said, referencing information released by the Interior Ministry.

The suspect is a 43-year-old citizen of Tajikistan, Prime Minister Dorin Recean wrote on social media.

While accompanying him to a special area for being returned, he shot dead a border policeman and an airport security employee, with an arm stolen from an employee of the Border Police, Recean said.

A passenger has been wounded and taken into medical care, he added.

While the immediate danger has been averted at the airport, commercial activity and flights continue to be suspended for the time being, the Border Police said. 

(With inputs by UNI/Xinhua)