An explosion has destroyed a car near a bridge in central Cairo on Monday after a collision, leaving three people injured, Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said.

Megahed told journalists that the three people who were injured have been transferred to the hospital.

He said the cause of the blast was not immediately clear, however, two security sources told Reuters a faulty battery may have been responsible.

Another health ministry official told a local radio station that several others are undergoing treatment for minor injuries.

According to Reuters report, a security sources said, flames from the car caught  a minibus, which was also destroyed, with debris and metal scattered close by.

A civil defence officer said, at least five people were hurt.