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Damascus blast hits pilgrim bus Damascus blast hits pilgrim bus
(20 minutes later)
An explosion in the Syrian capital Damascus has hit a crowded bus carrying Iranian pilgrims, with at least six deaths and dozens of injuries reported.An explosion in the Syrian capital Damascus has hit a crowded bus carrying Iranian pilgrims, with at least six deaths and dozens of injuries reported.
The explosion took place at a petrol station near the al-Sayyida Zeinab shrine for Shia Muslims. The cause of the blast is unclear. It took place at a petrol station near a shrine popular with Shia Muslims.
Such incidents are rare in Syria, but there was one major attack last year.Such incidents are rare in Syria, but there was one major attack last year.
In September 2008 a bomb killed at least 17 people on a road leading to the same site. That attack was blamed on Fatah al-Islam, a Sunni group. In September 2008 a car bomb killed 17 people on a road leading to the same site, the al-Sayyida Zeinab shrine. The attack was blamed on Sunni militants.
After the latest explosion, a local correspondent for Iran News Network (Irinn) said the bus had blown up when refuelling. He said two Iranian nationals, the driver and his assistant, as well as four Syrian workers at the petrol station were killed. After the latest explosion, a local correspondent for Iran News Network (Irinn) said the bus had blown up while refuelling.
He said two Iranian nationals, the driver and his assistant, as well as four Syrian workers at the petrol station were killed.
One eyewitness told Reuters news agency: "Body parts are still scattered around the bus."One eyewitness told Reuters news agency: "Body parts are still scattered around the bus."
One report suggested the blast could have been caused by a gas bottle carried by the pilgrims in their luggage.One report suggested the blast could have been caused by a gas bottle carried by the pilgrims in their luggage.
The al-Sayyida Zeinab shrine, popular with Iranian pilgrims, is dedicated to the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad.The al-Sayyida Zeinab shrine, popular with Iranian pilgrims, is dedicated to the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad.


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Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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