German police have revealed that three people have been injured in what was apparently deliberate explosion at a Sikh temple in the western city of Essen. The attack happened as a celebration was being celebrated at the temple, or gurdwara .

A spokesman for Essen police told the Associated Press that a masked person was reported to have fled the scene shortly after the blast at 7pm.

Spokesman Lars Lindemann said the explosion was “quite violent”, blowing out several windows. One of the injured was said to be in a serious condition.

Local media subsequently said that three people had been arrested and were being questioned in connection with the incident.

Sikh groups said the incident took place as people were celebrating the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi. Celebrations taking place inside the gurdwara and children's classes were also taking place.

Mr Lindemann said the police were working on the assumption that the explosion was caused deliberately but that there are no indications it was a terrorist incident.