Three killed in Moscow restaurant explosion

News imageGetty Images Armed Moscow police stand guard in front of an ambulance near the scene of an explosion near the centre of the city.Getty Images

At least three people have been killed and 15 injured in an explosion at a restaurant in Moscow, police say.

The blast happened at around 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Kudrinskaya square near the city centre. The cause is not clear but the Baza Telegram channel said it happened in the establishment's kitchen.

A witness told the channel the venue was hosting a wedding reception attended by about 50 people, adding that they saw people being brought out covered in blood after the explosion.

Roads around the square were briefly closed. Dozens of cyclists had been gathering nearby for an evening ride through the city but the event was cancelled.

Video released by Russia's RIA news agency showed heavily armed law enforcement officers at the scene, which had been closed off to members of the public.