ISTANBUL, Aug 7 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Two people were killed and 13 others injured when an explosive device detonated Thursday aboard a passenger minibus in the Syrian town of Jaramana near Damascus, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing state news.
Syria's state-run al-Ekhbariya TV initially said the device exploded inside the minibus, killing and injuring several people, but provided no casualty figures or further details about the circumstances of the blast.
Syria’s state news agency SANA later cited the Health Ministry’s Referral, Ambulance and Emergency Directorate as saying that two people were killed and 13 others were injured in the blast.
Najib al-Naasan, director of the Health Ministry directorate, said forensic teams were handling human remains found at the scene in accordance with established procedures.
He said nearby hospitals and emergency departments had been placed on high alert while ambulances and medical teams were mobilised to transport the injured to medical facilities for treatment.
SANA said ambulances, Interior Ministry forensic teams, Civil Defence personnel and Syrian Arab Red Crescent crews continued working at the scene.
The damaged minibus was removed by crane to allow technical examinations and the investigation to proceed.
Images and videos circulating on social media showed the heavily damaged minibus with debris scattered across the road and in front of nearby residential buildings.
In its first statement on the blast, Syria’s Interior Ministry said early Friday that security forces had launched an investigation into what it described as a “criminal bombing” targeting the passenger minibus.
Security forces sealed off the area after the explosion and began collecting evidence as investigators worked to determine the circumstances of the attack and track down those responsible, the ministry said.
The ministry said the bombing came after sheikhs and community leaders in Jaramana reaffirmed their support for the Syrian state and the country’s unity and warned against attempts to stoke tensions and undermine civil peace.
No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU