A Bomb blast has struck a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi, killing at least one student and injuring several others. The explosion hit as students arrived for morning lessons at the institute.

Local authorities report that three incendiary devices were planted in a trash bin in front of Morvillo Falcone school.

One of the injured is currently in critical condition in local Perrino hospital.

“I was opening the window when I felt the force of the blast. I saw children thrown to the floor, blackened by the explosion, their books on fire. A truly terrifying scene. Who could’ve have done such a thing?” said a witness of the blast to Italian newspaper "La Repubblica."

The explosion went off at around 8am local time (06:00 GMT), causing widespread panic among the students arriving at the school.

The building has now been evacuated and cordoned off for police investigation.