This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20906858
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Syria petrol station hit by deadly car bomb | Syria petrol station hit by deadly car bomb |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least nine people have been killed by a car bomb at a petrol station in the Syrian capital, Damascus, say activists. | At least nine people have been killed by a car bomb at a petrol station in the Syrian capital, Damascus, say activists. |
| The bomb reportedly hit the Barzeh al-Balad district, as large numbers of people were queuing for fuel. | The bomb reportedly hit the Barzeh al-Balad district, as large numbers of people were queuing for fuel. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group said the death toll from Thursday's attack was likely to rise. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group said the death toll from Thursday's attack was likely to rise. |
| The bombing comes a day after dozens of people were killed in an air strike on a petrol station south of the city. | The bombing comes a day after dozens of people were killed in an air strike on a petrol station south of the city. |
| Syria is in the grip of chronic fuel shortages, and motorists often wait for hours in queues at petrol stations. | Syria is in the grip of chronic fuel shortages, and motorists often wait for hours in queues at petrol stations. |
| On Tuesday, dozens of people were killed by an air strike on a petrol station in the outskirts of the capital, | On Tuesday, dozens of people were killed by an air strike on a petrol station in the outskirts of the capital, |
| 'Shocking' figures | 'Shocking' figures |
| The opposition Revolution Leadership Council in Damascus said Thursday's explosion had been caused by a "a booby-trapped car", Reuters reported. | The opposition Revolution Leadership Council in Damascus said Thursday's explosion had been caused by a "a booby-trapped car", Reuters reported. |
| State news agency Sana described the blast as a "terrorist" attack on a petrol station near a hospital. | |
| One local activist told Reuters he saw ambulances taking away people with severe burns. | |
| "The station is usually packed even when it has no fuel. There are lots of people who sleep there overnight, waiting for early morning fuel consignments," he said. | "The station is usually packed even when it has no fuel. There are lots of people who sleep there overnight, waiting for early morning fuel consignments," he said. |
| Earlier on Thursday, there were fierce battles around some northern Syrian airports, as rebels tried to neutralise the government's overwhelming air advantage. | Earlier on Thursday, there were fierce battles around some northern Syrian airports, as rebels tried to neutralise the government's overwhelming air advantage. |
| Rebels broke into the Taftanaz base in north-western Idlib province but were pushed back by the army, rebel sources and state media said. | Rebels broke into the Taftanaz base in north-western Idlib province but were pushed back by the army, rebel sources and state media said. |
| Reports said Aleppo airport was also under siege, and has been closed since Tuesday because of repeated attacks. | Reports said Aleppo airport was also under siege, and has been closed since Tuesday because of repeated attacks. |
| State news agency Sana said government forces had "repelled the terrorists' attempt to attack the airport" and inflicted heavy losses. | State news agency Sana said government forces had "repelled the terrorists' attempt to attack the airport" and inflicted heavy losses. |
| More clashes were reported in suburbs of Damascus, with government troops trying to capture Daraya. | More clashes were reported in suburbs of Damascus, with government troops trying to capture Daraya. |
| There was also fighting around the city and airport of Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria. | There was also fighting around the city and airport of Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria. |
| On Wednesday, the UN's Human Rights Council said a new study suggested more than 60,000 people had died since the start of the unrest in Syria in March 2011, many more than activists have claimed. | On Wednesday, the UN's Human Rights Council said a new study suggested more than 60,000 people had died since the start of the unrest in Syria in March 2011, many more than activists have claimed. |
| UN rights chief Navi Pillay said the number of casualties was "truly shocking". | UN rights chief Navi Pillay said the number of casualties was "truly shocking". |