A suitcase exploded near a reception centre for migrants in southern Germany, on Wednesday, but the blast may have been caused by an aerosol can inside it, and there was no evidence of explosives being involved, police said.

The incident in the Bavarian town of Zirndorf, which occurred at around 2.15 p.m. local time, sparked jitters following the spate of violent attacks since July 18 and news of the blast spread rapidly on social media outlets.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for two of the five attacks.