An explosion has ripped through a TV viewing area in Damaturu, Nigeria, where World Cup soccer fans have gathered to watch the Tuesday match, according to a police official, who did not release further details.

Pickup trucks containing bodies arrived at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital and the casualties were brought to the emergency room, a hospital source said. The exact number of deaths and injuries is yet to be confirmed, Reuters reported.

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According to a Reuters witness near the site of the explosion, there was a loud boom. Some residents said they heard another explosion after the first one. Police Commissioner Marcus Danladi had confirmed the blast, but added they were still gathering more details.

Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state, has been destroyed by several attacks carried out by Islamist group Boko Haram. In April, the militant group had kidnapped over 200 school girls in the adjacent Borno state.

Meanwhile, the government of Nigeria has expressed its concern about possible subsequent attacks, and has therefore advised residents to refrain from watching the World Cup events in public areas.

Earlier in June, a bomb explosion in the northeastern region of Nigeria had left at least 14 soccer fans dead and 12 wounded. The said blast had targeted another informal TV viewing venue in the area.

These attacks on the informal television viewing centers have aroused fears that Islamist groups will target soccer fans gathering in public to show support during matches.  As Africa has many soccer-crazed fans, the country relies mostly on informal venues with to watch the sport's live events.

The Boko Haram's name is roughly interpreted as "Western education is sinful." The militant group has declared war on all those it considers being corrupted by Western influence.

In its bid to uphold an Islamic state in the northern area of Nigeria, the Boko Haram has already slaughtered thousands of people since 2009.

Tagsviewing area, Explosion, Nigeria, Boko Haram