Ammon News - At least 15 people have been reported killed in an explosion in northern Afghanistan.

The blast took place during afternoon prayers at a religious seminary in the town of Aybak, Samangan province.

At least 27 people were wounded, a hospital official told Tolo news. No group claimed immediate responsibility for the blast.

All of the victims are "children and ordinary people," a doctor told AFP.

Afghanistan's interior ministry has confirmed at least 10 people died in the explosion and said many others were injured.

An investigation has been opened into the incident, said spokesman Abdul Nafy Takor.

Footage posted to social media showed bloodied prayer mats and debris strewn across a hall. Some local media reported Taliban officials prevented people from filming near the site.

Attacks have become commonplace since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan more than a year ago.

ISIS, a rival of the Taliban, has often attacked mosques and worshippers, especially members of Afghanistan’s Shiite community. In August, 21 people were killed in a bombing at a Kabul mosque.

Educational centres have also become regular targets for bombings.

In October, 52 people were killed, mostly young girls, in a suicide attack on a school in a Hazara neighbourhood of Kabul.