Russia probes metro bomber as dead mourned

Russia on Wednesday probed the potential motives of the alleged bomber behind a blast in the Saint Petersburg metro that killed 14 people, as the grieving city mourned its dead.

Investigators have identified the attacker as 22-year-old Akbarjon Jalilov, believed to be a Russian national born in Central Asian Kyrgyzstan, saying he had also planted a bomb at another station that was successfully defused.

Authorities searched Jalilov ‘s residence and said CCTV footage showed him leaving his home ahead of the attack "with a bag and rucksack."

They said Jalilov detonated the bomb inside the metro carriage, and said his DNA had been found on the unexploded device left at the second metro station.

Investigators said they believed it was a suicide attack, based on body fragments found at the scene.

The head of Russia's Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin ordered officials to look into any potential "links" between the alleged attacker and the Islamic State group.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, nor have any clues emerged about the Jalilov’s motivations.

The death toll from the attack hit 14 on Tuesday, with 49 people still in hospital. Russia’s health minister said 11 people had died at the scene, one died while being transported by ambulance and a further two died in hospital.

On Tuesday evening, Russia’s investigative committee released the details of 10 of the 14. Seven of them were 21 or younger.

A memorial service was to be held for those killed at a cathedral in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, the second day of national mourning over the attack.