Blast Kills Al least 10 In St Petersburg, Russia

At least 10 people have been killed in a blast on the underground rail system in St Petersburg, Russia's health minister has said.

Dozens of people were also injured in the explosion, which occurred between two busy stations in the city centre.

Interfax reported that a bomb was left in a briefcase in a metro carriage, while prosecutors say they are probing a suspected "act of terror".

Anti-terror officials confirmed that a second device was found and deactivated at Ploshchad Vosstaniya station, a different location to the earlier blast.

Russian news site Fontanka has published a photo of a bearded man dressed in a black hat and coat, who it says is being sought over the attack.

All 62 stations on the St Petersburg Metro have been closed.

In a statement, St Petersburg governor Georgy Poltavchenko said: "Today, in our city there was a terrible tragedy. As a result of the explosion in the subway people died. Many of the passengers were injured.

"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and relatives.

"Law enforcement authorities and all city services are doing everything necessary.

"In this difficult time we all need to support those who lost their loved ones. I ask all of Petersburgers and guests of our city to be vigilant, attentive and careful."

Earlier, Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is in the city to meet the Belarusian president, expressed his condolences and said terrorism had not been ruled out.

The first device was filled with shrapnel, according to an Interfax source.

The St Petersburg underground railway said in a statement: "An unidentified object supposedly blew up in a (train) carriage."

Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said security will be tightened at all critical transport facilities.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said they were liaising with Russian authorities.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Twitter: "Horrified by news of explosion in St Petersburg. My sympathies are with the victims and their families."

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(Sky News)