Blast Hits Northern Ireland's Belfast

A small explosion hit Northern Ireland's capital Belfast Friday after authorities received a telephone bomb warning, police said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The incident happened in the city's central Cathedral Quarter area near many restaurants and bars on one of the busiest shopping nights before Christmas.

Police warned last month of an upsurge in activity by dissident republican groups who still want the British province to be part of the Republic of Ireland.

"A number of businesses and streets in the Cathedral area of Belfast have been cordoned off following a small explosion," a police spokesman said.

The blast happened "as police were checking reports of a suspicious object," the spokesman said.

"At this stage there are no reports of any injuries."

Local media said hundreds of people were evacuated from the area.

The blast comes after a large bomb placed in a hijacked car partially exploded in Belfast on November 24, also without causing any casualties.

More than 3,500 people died during three decades of violence between Catholic republicans and Protestant unionists who want to remain part of Britain.

The unrest was largely brought to an end by 1998 peace accords which created a power-sharing government between the two communities, although low-level violence continues.