Erika Rowe, 15, from Warrington, was among the injured

One Briton is reported dead after the explosions in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh which killed at least 34 people, including nine suspected bombers.

Both Saudi and US officials have blamed al-Qaeda operatives for the bombings, which were well planned and well orchestrated suicide attacks.

At least 15 Britons -including a 15-year-old girl - are believed to have been injured in the attacks, which took place late on Monday evening.

One Briton and one Irish national were reported dead by the Saudi interior ministry as the death toll rose to 34.

Another two Britons are unaccounted for, according to the UK's Foreign Office.

'Miracle'

Two specialist teams have arrived in Riyadh, according to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).

A rapid deployment team of six specially trained FCO staff will support the embassy in counselling victims.

This is the first time the team has been deployed since it was set up after the Bali Bombing in October.

And four investigators from the Metropolitan Police will be liaising with the FBI and the Saudis, said the FCO.

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

He offered his "profound condolences" to relatives of the dead and injured.

Expats fear safety Attacks 'prove Britons' innocence' FBI joins hunt for bombers

He added that, while some Americans and Britons had been killed or injured, the victims were "primarily Muslims".

The British School in Riyadh was damaged in the attack on the Al-Hamra compound, home to many British expatriates including 35 teachers.

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

It is not yet known how many students were hurt, but Erika Rowe, 15, who attended the school and lived in the compound, suffered severe concussion, cuts, bruises and shock.

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

"If you could see the devastation, you would wonder how anyone survived."

The school, which was about 700 metres from the blasts, suffered damage to the swimming pool and the sports hall.

Britain 'targeted'

Some expatriates have interpreted the bombing as a deliberate attack on Britain.

Mike Zammit, whose wife lives on the compound, told BBC News Online: "Far from this being targeted at America, this attack would appear to be a carefully planned attack on British interests."

Earlier, the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir Derek Plumbly, said security for the British expatriate community could be improved.

A series of bombings attacked several luxury compounds

Meanwhile, British Airways announced on Wednesday it was cancelling overnight stays in Saudi Arabia for its crews following the attacks.

BA crews flying between London and Riyadh or Jeddah will stay overnight in Cyprus until further notice.

Describing the feelings of British people living near the scene of the bombings, Sir Derek told BBC Breakfast: "I think they are shocked.

"It is a large community and it is very well-established.

"There have been security incidents here in the past but not in the sense that they have been taken to people's homes, in their compounds.

"A big focus at this point in time, and I will be discussing this with the minister responsible for internal security later in the day, is very much on what more can be done to enhance the security of the people who do choose to stay."

Shoot-out

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.

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

At least 10 Americans were among those killed and the number of injured has been put at nearly 200 - including many different nationalities.

Some of the attackers were believed to be suspected al-Qaeda sympathisers who vanished from Riyadh on 6 May after a shoot-out with the authorities.

The Foreign Office has issued a number for people worried about relatives in Riyadh: 020 7008 0000.