Eight wounded as 'accidental' explosion hits Gaza City

Eight people were wounded on Friday in an explosion in Gaza City, local officials have said.

Gaza police spokesman Ayman al-Batniji said the accidental explosion took place in the Al-Turkman area of Al-Shijaiya neighbourhood, in the east of the city.

The explosion occurred after a fire broke out on a patch of agricultural land, al-Batniji said.

"Firefighting teams were able to quickly put out the fire and bring the situation under control," he said.

He did provide any further details on the cause of the blast.

The eight people wounded in the explosion were taken to the city's Al-Shifaa hospital for treatment, Gaza's health ministry said in a press statement sent to The New Arab.

None of the injuries were severe, the ministry added.