Children among nine dead in Gaza market blaze: ministry

Ashraf al-Qudra, a spokesman for the health ministry in the besieged enclave, said 85 people were injured in the blaze in a market in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Four of the dead were children, he said.

An official at the Civil Defence in Gaza confirmed the fire started in a bakery and "caused damage to dozens of shops and stalls."

He said the fire had been brought under control but did not give a reason for it.

A large plume of smoke rose into the sky and could be seen from a great distance, AFP journalists said.

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