A car bomb explosion killed six and injured more than 20 people in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi late Thursday, a local official said.

The blast occurred on the Jamal Abdannaser street near Tibisti Hotel, Capt. Tariq al-Kharraz, spokesman of Benghazi joint security chamber, told local TV channel Libya Al-Hadath.

The area was closed off for fear of similar attacks, the spokesperson said.

The Libyan TV channel released images of the aftermath of the explosion, showing a number of burnt vehicles and the massive destruction in the street, as well as ambulances transporting victims.

"It is too early to reveal any information related to the attack," which he said was "purely terrorist," the spokesperson said.

Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, has frequently been targeted by car bombs and suicide attacks.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, the city set up a joint security chamber composing army and police officers.