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Damascus blast hits pilgrim bus Deadly bus explosion in Damascus
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion in the Syrian capital Damascus has hit a crowded bus carrying Iranian pilgrims, with three people killed, officials say. Three people have died in an explosion at a petrol station in the Syrian capital Damascus, officials say.
The blast occurred at a petrol station. The Syrian interior minister said it was "not a terrorist act" - a burst tyre had caused the blast. Syrian Interior Minister Said Sammour said the tyre of a crowded bus had exploded as it was being pumped.
The explosion took place near the Sayyida Zeinab shrine for Shia Muslims. Footage showed the bus badly damaged by what looked like fire. It was carrying Iranian pilgrims visiting the Sayyida Zeinab shrine for Shia Muslims.
Last year a car bomb killed 17 people on a road leading to the site. The attack was blamed on Sunni militants. Last year a car bomb killed 17 people on a road leading to the shrine. The bombing was blamed on Sunni militant.
SAYYIDA ZEINAB SHRINE Located 10km (six miles) from centre of DamascusHolds body of Zeinab, granddaughter of ProphetMore than 1.5 million visitors annuallyMosque interior considered among most beautiful in Muslim world But Mr Sammour ruled out an attack after Thursday's explosion, which injured many people.
After the latest explosion, a local correspondent for Iran News Network (Irinn) said the bus had blown up while refuelling. He says the bus driver and two petrol station workers died when the tyre blew up as air was being pumped into it.
One eyewitness told Reuters news agency: "Body parts are still scattered around the bus." Eyewitnesses and media reports had earlier said six people had been killed.
An earlier report suggested a gas bottle carried by the pilgrims in their luggage had exploded.
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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