A restaurant in ‌central ⁠Moscow was rocked by a blast on Saturday evening after a bomb detonated, according to local officials quoted by state media. At least three people died, including the suspected attacker, and 21 people were injured when a homemade explosive device detonated at an Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said.

An unidentified woman who reportedly attempted to carry the explosive device into the restaurant died in the blast, according to local media. A security guard and a patron also lost their lives, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reports.

The explosion happened at around 8pm local time (5pm GMT) near the Moscow city centre – a 25-minute walk from the Kremlin.

The woman allegedly attempted to smuggle the bomb into the Balzi Rossi restaurant, but the security guard refused to let her in before the bomb exploded, according to state media.

The explosion, which happened as the restaurant was hosting a private function, was still being investigated, the Moscow Investigative Committee told the news agency.

Authorities have not yet said who they believe may have been the target.

Initial reports suggested the blast happened within the kitchen, but the restaurant said in a statement there was a “problem outside”.

Roads around the restaurant, located in a skyscraper dating back to the Stalin regime, were temporarily closed.

A large police presence was seen in the area, with photographs showing armed police officers at the scene.