AT LEAST 12 people have been injured after a Syrian asylum seeker blew himself up outside a wine bar in Germany.
The attack took place in Ansbach, near Nuremburg, after the 27-year-old was denied access to the nearby Ansbach Open music festival, according to Germany's interior minister Joachim Herrmann.
Hermann said the suspect, who was known to police, had lived in Germany for two years but was denied asylum in the country a year ago.
He said it is unclear if the suspect intended to kill others or just himself but said he had “tried to commit suicide” twice before and had previously been in psychiatric care in the district hospital in Ansbach.
Of the 12 people injured, three were critically injured in the blast, police said.
The city's mayor, Carda Seidel, also confirmed the inferno was caused by an explosive device.
The horrifying incident occurred at 10.30pm local time at Eugen's Weinstube, in the city’s old town.
Police said the man killed is the suicide bomber and the explosive device he was carrying was detonated – but they could not confirm if it went off accidentally or intentionally.
One person has been killed in a blast at an Ansbach wine bar, nine others are hurt
Joachim Hermann condemned the attack
The emergency doctor checked to see if the bomber could be resuscitated, but he was already dead.
Investigators are probing links to terrorist organisations and have not ruled out the possibility the bomber was an Islamic extremist.
Hermann said the contents of the Syrian man’s backpack could have killed many more people, with the material used to make the bomb coming from metal items used in “wood manufacturing” – such as nails and screws.
Hermann said: “It is terrible that someone abuses the opportunity to find protection here in such a way. I am appalled by that.
“We have to do all we can so that such violence in our country committed by asylum seekers who have come to our country will not spread any further.”
But a spokesman for the Ansbach prosecutor’s office said: “If there is an Islamist link or not is purely speculation at this point.”
The music festival was cancelled as a result of the blast, with around 2,500 people rushed to safety while unconfirmed reports state nearby homes have been evacuated.
The attack took place just three miles away from US military base Katterbach Kaserne, which is home to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.
At least 12 people were injured in the attack
Witness Thomas Debinski said they were initially told the “disturbing” attack was a gas explosion.
He said: “People were definitely panicking, the rumour we were hearing immediately was that there had been a gas explosion.
“But then people came past and said it was a rucksack that had exploded. Someone blew themselves up. After what just happened in Munich it’s very disturbing to think what can happen so close to you in such a small town.”
Ansbach mayor Carda Seidel says the blast was caused by 'a bomb'
Armed police were at the scene of the attack
A spokesman for Herrmann said the explosion was a “deliberate” act rather than an accident.
He said: “At present we assume it is not an accident."
Heavily armed police are at the scene and officers have cordoned off the area around the wine bar.
Police swarm around the wine bar amid reports of a suicide bomber detonating in Ansbach
A helicopter was seen hovering overhead and rescue workers are on hand to recover any further victims.
Police spokesman Michael Konrad said: “The only thing I know is that there has been an explosion, I can not confirm anything else.”
Initial reports suggested it may have been a gas explosion, but it now appears there was a more sinister motive.
Ambulance crews and police are trying to secure the area and help the wounded
Emergency services are on hand, desperately trying to help those injured in the large explosion
Twitter has reacted to the devastating news of another suspected terror attack in Europe.
One user asked: "When will it end."
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Ansbach Explosion, Germany
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-PATRICK CHRISTYS