According to Tolo, the incident happened around 11am local time after a vehicle “loaded with explosives” was detonated close to the police headquarters and government offices for women, martyrs and disabled affairs, the statement said.

Eyewitnesses said that a number of nearby buildings were damaged in the blast.

Earlier, local health officials said that the bodies of “seven people have been found and more than 70 wounded had been taken to the hospitals.”

The local officials said that the number of the casualties will increase.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.