Two powerful explosions that struck Damascus on Thursday were carried out by suicide bombers and killed at least 55 people while wounding another 372, Syria’s interior ministry said. The bombers used more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of explosives in their vehicles, the ministry said, cited by state television. Previously, state media said the blasts killed 40 people and injured nearly 200. Meanwhile the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said the toll was 59, and included civilians and regime forces.
“The toll has risen to 59 killed and hundreds of injured,” the Britain-based monitor said. The blasts took place near a nine-storey security building, the facade of which was destroyed along with several surrounding residential complexes, an AFP correspondent reported. The blasts prompted UN observer chief Major General Robert Mood to appeal for help to end the bloodshed ravaging Syria.
