Police investigate explosion that killed Dutch teenager in Germany

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

The explosion took place on Tuesday in a public road and police suspect that 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 passers-by, including a seven-year-old girl, were injured by flying glass and also had to be treated in hospital.

German police are currently investigating the cause of the explosion and are in contact with their Dutch counterparts, according to local television channel WDR.

The explosion occurred in front of a café, where four to five people were reportedly present at the time. According to WDR, local residents reported that a man was seen walking past the café with an object before the explosion.