At least nine dead in Moscow blast

At least nine people were reported killed today in an explosion at a Moscow market.

News reports said up to nine people were killed and that that the blast apparently was caused by a gas cylinder.

The blast hit the Cherkizovsky market in the north-eastern part of the city about 10.30am local time, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

The ITAR-Tass news agency, citing unnamed police officials, said nine people were killed. Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

It also quoted police as saying a gas cylinder malfunction may have caused the blast.