The aftermath of a deadly explosion in Italy that has left a 16-year-old girl dead.

The bomb went off outside this girl's school in the city of Brindisi in the soutern part of the country.

At least six other people were injured in the blast, which happened just as children were about to start classes.

Police and forensic examiners pored over the site on Saturday.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but initial suspicions have focused on crime syndicates.

The school was named after the wife of famed anti-mafia judge, Giovanni Falcone and the blast came just days before the 20th anniversary of the couple's murder in a bomb attack.

And explosion comes just before a visit by the head of the region's anti-mafia forces.

The authorities are not firming up the mafia connection yet, pointing out there have been threats against tax offices amid anti austerity protests.

Andrew Raven, Reuters