At least seven people were killed and 36 others were wounded when a bomb exploded at an outdoor market in Vladikavkaz, the capital of the Russian republic of North Ossetia. 

North Ossetia Interior Minister General Kazbek Dzantiyev is quoted as saying Sunday's blast was an act of terror. 

Previous reports said the blast killed at least nine people and injured 39 more. 

Russia's top prosecutor in the North Caucasus, Vladimir Kravchenko, said an investigation has been opened into the blast. He said the explosion might have been set off to destabilize the region. 

Russian media say the device planted in steel pipe appeared to have been equipped with a timer. The blast devastated flower stalls located near the entrance to the market. 

The Vladikavkaz market has been a target of past bomb attacks linked to the separatist war in the neighboring Russian republic of Chechnya. 

Last November, an explosion in the market killed six people and wounded 40 others. A similar blast in the same market in March 1999 killed 60 people. 

Meanwhile, the Itar-Tass news agency says more Russian troops have been dispatched to the Chechen capital, Grozny, to guard against possible rebel attacks during the upcoming May Day celebrations. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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