Daijiworld Media Network – Damascus
Damascus, Jul 2: At least six people were killed and 22 others injured in an explosion at a cafe in central Damascus on Thursday, Syrian authorities said.
The blast occurred at around 3.24 pm local time inside a cafe on Al-Nasser Street in the Al-Marjah district, close to the Palace of Justice.
According to Syrian state television, the explosion was caused by an explosive device.
Television footage from the scene showed extensive damage to the cafe, with bloodstains visible on the floor.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining footage from government and private surveillance cameras installed in the area to identify those responsible.
Security forces initially sealed off the area amid fears of a secondary explosion before allowing emergency responders to carry out rescue operations.
Residents rushed to assist the injured before ambulances arrived, officials said.
Police said no group or individual has been identified as being behind the blast so far.
Officials said security agencies have been working to dismantle sleeper cells allegedly attempting to destabilise the country's new government.
The Palace of Justice, located about 40 metres from the cafe, has recently hosted trials involving senior members of the former Bashar al-Assad administration, including former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun earlier this week.
Damascus Governor Maher Marwan said the city's security situation had improved in recent months but acknowledged that challenges remained.
"The more Syria attains stability, the more there are those who want to damage it," Marwan told reporters at the blast site.
He said the investigation was underway and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The explosion occurred in a busy area near marketplaces and the courthouse, where large numbers of people had gathered during ongoing court proceedings.
Officials warned that the death toll could rise as several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.