Photo-double ionization of HBr and DBr has been investigated in the 32-37 eV energy range using synchrotron radiation and the threshold photoelectrons coincidence (TPEsCO) method. The TPEsCO spectra of HBr and DBr, encompassing the formation of the X(3)Sigma(-), a(1)Delta and b(1)Sigma(+) states of HBr2+ and DBr2+, were recorded using a pair of penetrating-field electron spectrometers. All electronic band systems exhibited vibrational structure. In addition, the threshold photoelectron spectra of HBr and DBr for the formation of singly charged HBr and DBr were recorded simultaneously. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.