The attack began at 6.40am when four gunmen entered an oil refinery complex owned by ExxonMobil and a Saudi firm and opened fire.

Two Britons, two Americans, two Australians and a Saudi died and 18 people were injured. The gunmen then hijacked two cars, tied a body to a bumper and dragged it along the road. They attacked a McDonald’s and there was further shooting outside bank buildings and an international school.

The Foreign Office last night named the two Britons who died as Mike Hardy and Mike McGillen.

The gunmen were cornered after a six-hour running battle. Witnesses said one leant out of a vehicle shouting “Jihad” before the vehicle blew up. Three gunmen were killed in the battle and the fourth was taken to hospital. At least one Saudi special police officer was killed.

Saudi television showed pictures of one victim slumped in the blood-drenched front seat of a sport utility vehicle. He appeared to be wearing a security officer’s uniform.

The port of Yanbu exports more than 400,000 barrels of oil a day. Security around the city’s oil terminals and export facilities has been increased recently.

In the early afternoon yesterday all roads to the city were blocked, and a long line of trucks waited to enter the industrial centre. A police helicopter could be seen hovering over the old town.

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