14 Killed, More Than 10 Injured In Weapons Depot Explosion In Syria’s Idlib

ISTANBUL, Sept 10 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Fourteen people were killed and more than 10 injured Wednesday in an explosion at a temporary weapons and war-remnants storage facility near Sarmada in northern Syria’s Idlib province, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing the Defense Ministry.

It said all who were killed were personnel from the ministry, while the wounded included civilians.

The explosion occurred at a temporary facility used to store weapons and remnants of war near Sarmada, the ministry said in a statement.

It said specialised units, in coordination with authorities, immediately moved to secure the site and deal with the aftermath of the blast.

The ministry added that an investigation is underway to determine the cause and circumstances of the explosion.

It said it assumed full responsibility for the incident and offered condolences to the families of those killed.

The Syrian Arab News Agency SANA reported earlier that a preliminary toll of four dead and 10 injured.

Subhi Assaf, director of the media office at the Idlib Health Directorate, confirmed the preliminary death toll, adding that the injuries ranged from minor to moderate.

Rescue teams were searching for the missing beneath the rubble, he added.

Syrian state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported that internal security forces closed roads leading to the site “to ensure the safety of civilians.”

Civil defense and firefighting teams were working to extinguish a fire caused by the explosion, it added.

Sarmada is in northern Idlib province and is one of the area's major population and commercial centers.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU