Austrian woman killed by Bali ferry blast

Two people are dead and several are injured following an explosion on a ferry carrying 35 tourists between the Indonesian resort islands of Bali and Lombok, police say.

The Austrian Foreign Ministry said an Austrian woman was among the dead.

Earlier reports had said the two casualties were a Dutch citizen and an Indonesian.

"Up to now, two people have died, but I don't know the details of their identities," said district police chief Sugeng, who, like many Indonesians, uses only one name.

Several injured tourists were being treated in hospital.

Police denied reports of a bomb attack, saying instead that they suspected a gas cylinder explosion.

"We confirm there was no bomb on board," Sugeng said. "The explosion happened because of ... a gas cylinder close to the engine."

Bali and neighbouring Lombok are two of Indonesia's most popular holiday destinations.