More violence for the Philippines

An explosion in the Philippines has left at least nine people dead and 20 more seriously injured.

Officials confirmed the blast at a local shop on the southern island of Jolo and said that initial reports suggested a link with the militant group Abu Sayyaf, an organisation known to be connected with al Qaeda.

Road blocks have been set up on the usually busy street, with many businesses closed, as police carry out investigations and asses the safety of the area, reports BBC News.

The injured people have been taken to the provincial hospital, many suffering from burns, while local employees are thought to make up the majority of the dead.

The explosion follows a number of violent incidents in Jolo, with 20 people previously injured during a bomb attack in February, which are connected to the Abu Sayyaf Islamic separatist group.