Explosion on bus 'kills several people' near Damascus

A bus explosion near Damascus has resulted in several fatalities, according to initial reports. The Syrian ambulance service confirmed the discovery of human remains at the blast site. Seven individuals were reportedly injured in the attack. Syrian state-owned television broadcast footage of a severely damaged vehicle in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus.

Hospitals in the area have been placed on high alert, with forensic workers examining the bodies. Official media sources stated that an explosive device detonated inside the bus. A lawyer residing in Rawda, a district within Jaramana, described the vehicle as a taxi van that traverses various neighborhoods to transport passengers.

He was situated approximately 200 meters away from the explosion's epicenter and hurried to the scene following the blast, which occurred around 7:30 PM local time. The lawyer reported that the vehicle was severely damaged, with wounded individuals lying nearby. He informed The National that the injured were promptly transported to two hospitals in Jaramana and two additional facilities in central Damascus.

The lawyer estimated that there may have been around two dozen casualties, though he did not provide a precise count. Jaramana is predominantly inhabited by Syria's Druze minority. The region witnessed clashes last year between Druze fighters and militias supporting the Syrian government. The Druze population in Jaramana has been isolated from Sweida, the sect's stronghold in southern Syria, since government forces launched an offensive against Sweida last year.