An explosion possibly caused by a bomb tore through a Moscow market yesterday morning, killing at least ten people, including two children and injuring about 25.

Ministry spokeswoman Yulia Stadnikova said the blast hit the Cherkizovsky market in the north-eastern part of the city about 10.30am and was caused by an explosive device.

She said ten people were killed, including two children.

The explosion occurred in a two-storey building at the market and Stadnikova said about 200 square metres of "light construction" had collapsed.

The ITAR-Tass news agency cited police as saying the explosion appeared to have been caused by a gas cylinder. Such cylinders are widely used at Moscow's markets for heating and cooking.

The news agency Interfax quoted an official in the Interior Ministry, which runs police forces, as saying that terrorism was not being considered.

Markets in Russia's restive Caucasus region frequently have been hit by explosions over the past several years; most of the blasts are believed to be connected to organised crime or commercial disputes.