Two people have died of their injuries after an explosion at a Zimbabwe presidential campaign rally.

The Chronicle newspaper said officials at Mpilo hospital confirmed the deaths.

The blast which went off shortly after President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed a stadium crowd in Bulawayo has been called an assassination attempt.

At least 49 people were injured, including both of Zimbabwe’s vice presidents, but Mr Mnangagwa was unscathed.

No arrests have been reported and officials have not laid blame.

Zimbabwe faces historic elections on July 30 that are the first since longtime leader Robert Mugabe stepped down in November under military pressure.

A record 23 candidates have filed to run for president.