At least 14 people have been killed and dozens injured in a car bomb blast at the police headquarters in the Egyptian city of Mansoura.

The explosion occurred at about 01:00am local time, triggering a partial collapse of the five story building, as well as damaging surrounding buildings and vehicles.

Egypt's health ministry said the casualty figures are likely to increase as several people are feared trapped under the partially collapsed building.

The interim administration has blamed the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the outfit to which ousted president Mohamed Morsi belongs, for the bombing.

However, the Muslim Brotherhood wrote on its Twitter account that the Islamist group "strongly condemn the cowardly bombing in Mansoura & express deep condolences to families of the victims of Egypt".

The Islamist group has been calling for reinstatement of Morsi as president ever since he was ousted in July following which the military-backed interim administration took over the reins of government.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner