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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Central Damascus 'hit by bomb explosion' | Central Damascus 'hit by bomb explosion' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 13 people have been killed and many more injured by a powerful explosion in Syria's capital, Damascus, state media and activists say. | |
| A bomb is believed to have been detonated in a square in the central district of Marjeh. Civilians and security personnel are among the dead. | A bomb is believed to have been detonated in a square in the central district of Marjeh. Civilians and security personnel are among the dead. |
| Sporadic gunfire was heard in the area after the blast. | Sporadic gunfire was heard in the area after the blast. |
| On Monday, Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi survived a car bomb attack, which had targeted his convoy in the capital. | On Monday, Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi survived a car bomb attack, which had targeted his convoy in the capital. |
| The latest attack took place near a hotel, shopping centre and interior ministry building in Marjeh, a busy commercial district, the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut reports. | The latest attack took place near a hotel, shopping centre and interior ministry building in Marjeh, a busy commercial district, the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut reports. |
| It is not yet clear what the target of the attack was, our correspondent says. | It is not yet clear what the target of the attack was, our correspondent says. |
| Widespread damage | |
| State television showed footage of widespread damage in the area, which was shrouded in dense smoke. Several vehicles could be seen burning and buildings with shattered windows. | State television showed footage of widespread damage in the area, which was shrouded in dense smoke. Several vehicles could be seen burning and buildings with shattered windows. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the cause of the blast was a car bomb. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the cause of the blast was a car bomb. |
| The UK-based activist group monitors human rights violations on both sides of the conflict via a network of contacts across Syria. | The UK-based activist group monitors human rights violations on both sides of the conflict via a network of contacts across Syria. |
| It estimates that March was the bloodiest month yet, with more than 6,000 people killed - a third of them civilians. | It estimates that March was the bloodiest month yet, with more than 6,000 people killed - a third of them civilians. |
| Government forces forces and rebels have been fighting in and around Damascus for months, but neither have gained the upper hand. | |
| Monday's blast targeting the prime minister was the latest bombing inside government-controlled areas of the capital. | Monday's blast targeting the prime minister was the latest bombing inside government-controlled areas of the capital. |
| The car bomb exploded as his convoy passed through the Mezzeh neighbourhood, reportedly killing a a number of people, including Mr Halqi's bodyguard. | The car bomb exploded as his convoy passed through the Mezzeh neighbourhood, reportedly killing a a number of people, including Mr Halqi's bodyguard. |
| So far no group has said they carried out the attack. | So far no group has said they carried out the attack. |
| The UN says more than 70,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March 2011. | The UN says more than 70,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March 2011. |