At least ten dead, sixty injured after attack in Philippines

At least ten people have been reported dead after an attack on a night market in the Philippines.

Another 60 were injured in the explosion in Davao City, in the southern island of Mindanao.

Witnesses described a loud bang before seeing smoke rise into the air from a massage section at the crowded market, close to the upmarket Marco Polo hotel.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had been visiting his home city today. He was reported safe at a police station after the blast, his son Paolo Duterte, who is vice mayor of Davao City, told Reuters.

TV footage showed plastic chairs strewn about at the scene of the blast, where witnesses said the bodies of some of the dead lay scattered a few hours after the explosion. Ambulance vans drove to and from the area following the blast.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: ‘While no one has yet claimed responsibility it is best that the populace refrain from reckless speculation and avoid crowded places.

‘There is no cause for alarm, but it is wise to be cautious.’