Dozens of people have been injured in an explosion in the Colombian capital Bogota, the mayor's office has said, according to BBC.

The explosion happened near the bullring, where animal rights activists were preparing to hold a march.

Bogota authorities said at least 40 people were injured, including 28 men and 12 women. Many are believed to be officers deployed ahead of the protest.

It is unclear if the blast was linked to the protests, which began after the city reinstated bullfighting this year.

Gareth Lewis, a British traveller staying in a hostel in La Macarena, on the corner where the explosion took place, told the BBC: "I was sitting in my room in the hostel, the windows just came in, there was glass everywhere.

"Quite a few police have been hurt, they're now sweeping up. They used tear gas and there's quite a bit of blood."