Nine injured in Moscow explosion

AN explosion in a market in southern Moscow on Saturday injured nine people, a police spokesman told Russian television.

The explosion occurred near the Prague metro station, a Moscow police spokesman said. There was no immmediate evidence of criminal intent.

Some media reports said fireworks had gone off accidentally. "It was a home-made device that exploded," the spokesman said.

Interfax news agency, quoting an emergency situations ministry official, said the blast was linked to fireworks stored inside a market stall that was selling underwear.

"Four women who were near the stall stuffered wounds and burns, according to initial reports," the official said.