At least eight people died and more than 100 were reported injured after a bomb was detonated in a chic shopping mall in the Philippine capital Manila on Friday.

There were no claims of responsibility released yet.

Police officers investigating the case believed at first that the explosion in the Makati business district was caused by an exploding cooking gas cylinder in a restaurant, but, as the investigation carried on, they found traces of plastic explosives at the site so the first hypothesis was ruled out.

The police sources which revealed the above mentioned information preferred to keep their anonymity. They also said the bomb was left near a cell phone repair shop in Glorietta, an extensive complex of department stores, fashion boutiques, restaurants, other shops and cinemas.

The police issued a general alert for the rest of the city and for the international airport as well, officials said. A meeting of the National Security Council was called for later in the day.

"Circumstances indicate it is highly probable that it was caused by an explosive device. We assure everyone that a full blown investigation is now under way,” President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in a statement broadcasted by a local television

According to her televised announcement, eight people were killed and 70 wounded, but the hospital which received the injured for recovery and the Red Cross as well estimated that there were at least 100. Many of the pass-biers were hit by flying shards of glass from shattered shop windows.