German police have confirmed that the 17-year-old youth killed in an explosion outside a cafe in the German city of Solingen earlier this week was a Dutch national but have declined to give further details about him.

The explosion took place on a public street on Tuesday and police suspect the youth dropped a bottle containing an unknown liquid which then exploded. He was seriously injured in the blast and died of his injuries later in hospital.

Four bystanders, including a seven year old girl, were injured by flying glass and also had to be treated in hospital.

German police are now investigating what lay behind the explosion and have been in touch with their counterparts in the Netherlands, according to local broadcaster WDR.

The explosion occurred in front of a café, where around four to five people are believed to have been present at the time. WDR said local residents reported that a man had been seen walking past the café with an object before the explosion.