A homemade explosive device blew up in a rubbish bin near the Indian Embassy in Bahrain last night, but no injuries or damages were reported.

Residents called the police after hearing a "loud noise" at around 10pm, according to a report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

The area was cordoned off and sniffer dogs and forensic experts were investigating. "The object was placed in a rubbish bin in an open ground, where many vehicles were parked," said a security official at the scene.

He confirmed residents in the area had been questioned. "We will look at CCTV footages and are also trying to trace a car cleaner, who has some vital information," he said.

The bomb was near several restaurants, a sheesha cafe and other popular outlets.

The blast follows a spate of explosions in Gudaibiya and Adliya on November 5, which killed two men and left a third in hospital.

Indian Embassy officials had been unaware of the blast, but pledged to step up security. "After this incident, the protocol demands we beef up our security," said a diplomat. – TradeArabia News Service