Manila  - Two people were killed and 15 wounded in a grenade blast at a carnival on a southern Philippine island, a regional military spokesman said Thursday.

The explosion occurred Wednesday evening in the village of Tuing Puti in Luuk town on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, Major David Hontiveros said.

The 15 injured suffered shrapnel wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, Hontiveros said.

"The motive of the attack is yet to be determined," he added.

Jolo is a stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels who have in the past attacked business establishments and entertainment joints for being perceived as being against the teachings of Islam. (dpa)