DHAKA: Two explosions targeting a busy market in the town of Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria have left at least 50 people dead.

The Red Cross says, reports the BBC.

Hospital sources say many of the victims were children.

Maiduguri is the headquarters of a military force fighting against the Boko Haram Islamist group, which has stepped up its attacks in the area.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday night.

It happened at a crowded market near the airport. The blasts were so powerful that buildings were reduced to rubble.

The bombs were hidden inside a truck full of wood and inside a saloon car. As people tried to rescue victims of the first blast, the second was detonated.

At the time of the explosions many people were crowded in a video hall in the area watching football. There was also a wedding taking place nearby.

BDST: 1831 HRS, MAR 02, 2014