A number of people have been injured after an explosive device was detonated at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Saudi Arabia.

The French foreign ministry confirmed the attack took place at a First World War commemoration event at a cemetery in the city of Jeddah and that several people had been injured.

It described Wednesday’s attack as “cowardly” and called on Saudi authorities to “hunt down the perpetrators”.

A source from the Greek government told Reuters that four people were hurt.

"There was some sort of a blast at the non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah. There are four slightly injured, among them one Greek," the official said.

The news agency was also told by a source that several diplomatic delegations from the European Union and other countries were present at the event organised by the French embassy.

The French foreign ministry said in a statment: "The embassies that were involved in the commemoration ceremony condemn this cowardly attack, which is completely unjustified.  

“They call on the Saudi authorities to shed as much light as they can on this attack, and to identify and hunt down the perpetrators.”

The French consulate in Jeddah urged its nationals in Saudi Arabia to exercise "maximum vigilance" following an attack.

"Exercise discretion, and stay away from all gatherings and be cautious when moving around," it said in a statement circulated to French residents in the city.

French senator Damien Regnard wrote on Twitter: "All my support to our compatriots in Saudi Arabia and in Jeddah."

The ceremony was reportedly being attended by the Consul General of France in Jeddah, alongside French expats.

According to some reports, it was also being attended by British expats.

Pictures posted on social media of a blood spattered pavement appear to show the aftermath of the attack.

France has urged its citizens in the kingdom to be “on maximum alert”.

The attacks are believed to be a response to the caricature mocking Turkey’s President printed on the front page of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and the recent projection of images of the Prophet onto buildings in Paris.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for a comment.

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