The Minister for Foreign Affairs has condemned this morning’s bombings on the Moscow metro as a ‘gratuitous act of terrorism’.

Michael Martin has extended his sympathies to those bereaved by the double suicide attacks – believed to have been carried out by two women.

At least 38 people were killed by the blasts during rush hour.

The Russian president has ordered a security crackdown and officials are blaming the carnage on rebels from the Caucasus region.