Britons killed in Saudi bombings

Erika Rowe was greeted by her mother when she arrived in the UK

Two Britons were killed in the suicide bombings in the Saudi Arabian capital, the British Embassy in Riyadh has confirmed.

The pair were among at least 34 people killed in the Monday night bombings at compounds housing Westerners.

The confirmation comes as specialist teams from Britain flew to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the bombings.

British Embassy spokesman Nick Abbott said: "We have confirmation of two British bodies in hospital."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said on Thursday: "We are in the process of carrying out full identification of two bodies in Riyadh.

British investigators

"The next of kin in the UK, of two British nationals unaccounted for, have been informed."

Nine suspected bombers were among those who died the explosions, which have been blamed on al-Qaeda by Saudi and US officials.

At least 15 Britons - including a 15-year-old girl - are believed to have been injured.

The teenager, Erika Rowe, flew into Manchester on Thursday with her father and stepmother. She was greeted by her mother and brother.

Erika suffered severe concussion, cuts, bruises and shock in the explosion.

It's a total miracle that all the staff are still alive

School principal Patrick Bloomfield

School 'shocked' at Saudi blasts

Expats fear safety

UK aircraft leave Saudi bases

Two specialist teams have arrived in Riyadh from the UK, the Foreign Office confirmed.

Four investigators from the Metropolitan Police will be liaising with the FBI and the Saudi authorities.

And a rapid deployment team of six specially trained Foreign Office staff will support the British embassy in counselling victims.

It is the first time the team has been deployed since it was set up after the Bali bombing last October.

The Foreign Office is meanwhile advising against all non-essential travel to the country saying there remains a "high threat" of further strikes.

Earlier Prime Minister Tony Blair told MPs the attacks were "cowardly and disgraceful", but would only increase international determination to "track down terrorists and stamp out terrorism."

School damaged

The British School in Riyadh, about 700 metres from the blasts, was damaged in the attack on the Al-Hamra compound, home to British expatriates including 35 teachers.

Four staff who lived on the compound were taken to hospital with minor injuries and up to 10 others were treated for cuts and bruises.

Erika Rowe, 15, was due to return to the UK on Thursday

School principal Patrick Bloomfield told BBC News Online: "It was a total miracle that all the staff are still alive."

Three of the attacks were on buildings in the Al-Hamra, Vinnell and Cordoba compounds for foreigners, while another was on a US-Saudi office.

At least 10 Americans were among those killed and the number injured has been put at nearly 200.

People worried about relatives in Riyadh can call a special number set up by the Foreign Office: 020 7008 0000.