Lead

An explosion near the Palace of Justice in downtown Damascus has killed at least nine people and wounded more than 20 others, according to Syrian Health Ministry officials. The blast, which occurred at a cafe on Al-Nasr Street, was initially reported to have caused four deaths, with the toll later revised upward.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from TASS, citing Syrian official sources, provide varying figures for casualties and details about the attack. The first report, published on July 2, cited the SANA news agency and the Syrian Health Ministry, stating that at least four people were killed and 11 injured in the explosion. The injured were hospitalized, and security forces cordoned off the scene.

A subsequent report on the same day quoted Ahmad Bakkour, director of Ambulance and Emergency Services at the Health Ministry, saying the death toll had risen to at least seven, with 22 people taken to the hospital, several in serious condition. A later report, dated July 3, cited Health Ministry spokesman Wael Daghmash as confirming that the number of fatalities had increased to nine, with over 20 wounded.

While the three TASS reports differ in casualty numbers, they collectively indicate that the death toll escalated over time. The discrepancies likely reflect the evolving nature of the situation and the updating of initial reports as more information became available.

Key Claims

  • At least four people were initially reported killed in the explosion, according to Syrian Health Ministry officials cited by TASS.
  • The death toll was later revised to at least seven, then to at least nine, per statements from Ahmad Bakkour and Wael Daghmash.
  • The number of injured persons was reported as 11, then 22, and later as over 20.
  • The explosion occurred at a coffee shop on Al-Nasr Street, near the Palace of Justice.
  • General Osama Atika, head of the Damascus Department of Internal Security, told Al-Ikhbariya TV that the bomb was planted in the cafe in advance and detonated later.
  • Atika also said that rumors of a suicide bomber were untrue.

Perspectives

Syrian Health Ministry

The Syrian Health Ministry, through spokesman Wael Daghmash and emergency services director Ahmad Bakkour, provided the casualty figures, confirming the rising death toll and the number of wounded. Their statements did not assign blame for the attack.

Damascus Department of Internal Security

General Osama Atika of the Damascus Department of Internal Security told Al-Ikhbariya TV that the explosion was caused by a bomb that had been planted in the cafe in advance, contradicting social media rumors of a suicide bomber. His account provides details on the nature of the attack but does not speculate on who was responsible.