At least two people have been killed and 13 others injured after an explosive device exploded inside a passenger minibus in the Syrian town of Jaramana, southeast of Damascus, local media and Syrian officials have said.
The explosion occurred during a busy period when the minibus was carrying several passengers through the densely populated area. Witnesses said they heard a powerful blast that shattered windows of nearby buildings and sent thick smoke rising into the air. Emergency services and security forces rushed to the site to help the wounded and secure the area.
Two people were killed in the explosion, and 13 other people were injured in varying degrees. Some victims were sent to nearby hospitals for treatment. Medical staff were working on that, and investigators haven’t ruled out that the number could change as the investigation continues.
The cause of the explosion is still being investigated. It is believed that an explosive device was installed in the minibus at the time of the explosion and the blast was triggered, but officials have not disclosed yet what kind of explosives were used or whether the device was remotely detonated.
Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, has experienced periods of unrest and security incidents since the long-running war began in Syria. Security at and around the Syrian capital has improved in recent years as compared to the peak years of the civil war, but rare attacks and explosions still pose challenges for civil authorities.
After the blast, security personnel cordoned off the area where the blast had taken place and collected evidence from the scene. Surveillance cameras and witnesses were reviewed and interviewed to determine if the attack was planned at scale and, if so, why the attack had a larger civilian loss of human lives in mind.
Residents were shocked and worried about the blast. Emergency workers converged on the blast site to clear debris and help victims. The damaged minibus was posted on social media, and there were visible structural injuries due to the explosion.
As for the security of the people of Syria and the security of the city, the Syrian government has repeatedly said it is committed to protection and keeping people safe.
The recent explosion underscores the continuing security problems in some parts of Syria that remain under siege even after decades of military operations to rebuild stability. Sporadic attacks with explosive devices are still a threat in several areas with complicated security problems and are still a threat in some areas in which there are always volatile security dynamics, analysts say.
As investigations continue, officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Further details will be given as authorities release more on the victims, the nature of the explosive device, and the possible motives behind the attack.
