At least eight people have been injured in an explosion in France's third largest city Lyon.
Local reports indicate a parcel bomb containing screws or bolts went off near a bakery store.
Nobody is believed to have been seriously injured.
France24 quotes local mayor Denis Broliquier as saying an eight-year-old girl was among those injured.
He added: "We’re fairly relieved because apparently there were no serious injuries but on the other hand, we are certain it was an explosive device."
Explosion à #Lyon angle rue Victor Hugo et rue Sala. Périmètre de sécurité mis en place. Pour votre sécurité éviter le secteur. pic.twitter.com/g9bAgH2oaf
— Préfet de région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes et du Rhône (@prefetrhone) May 24, 2019
Officials have denied reports of a second explosion, and urged people to not spread rumours or false information.
Interior minister Christophe Castaner, meanwhile, said he had ordered security to be boosted at public, cultural and sporting sites in France in the wake of the blast.
Suite à l’explosion survenue à #Lyon, je viens d’adresser des consignes de vigilance à l’ensemble des préfets pour renforcer la sécurité des sites accueillant du public et des événements sportifs, culturels & cultuels.
Je suis la situation en lien avec @prefetrhone et le parquet.— Christophe Castaner (@CCastaner) May 24, 2019
The blast comes two days before the country's European elections.
