The names of the British casualties have been officially confirmed by the Foreign Office as Robert and Deborah Fry, 53 and 49, from Wootton Bassett, and their close friend Barbara Jean Dinsmore, 43, known as Jean.

In a joint statement issued through the Foreign Office tonight, the families of the three victims said: "We are deeply shocked by the events of yesterday and need time to come to terms with the loss of three of our loved ones.

"Our priority now is to provide support to the bereaved children involved and ask that the media respect our privacy and that of our family and friends at this very difficult time."