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Blasts rock Syrian capital, many killed

Last updated on: May 10, 2012 14:57 IST
People run to help those wounded at the site of an explosion in Damascus

Two explosions rocked Damascus on Thursday morning during rush hour, killing over 40 people and injuring 170, most of them civilains on their way to office.

The government said that the blasts had been orchestrated by "terrorists" though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

A team of the United Nations, which surveyed the explosion site, warned that such attacks will not "solve any problems" and "create more suffering for Syrians".

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Blasts rock Syrian capital, many killed

Last updated on: May 10, 2012 14:57 IST
Smoke rises from the wreckage of mangled vehicles at the site

The blasts occurred in the freeway in southern Damascus, killing several people headed to their offices and damaging many cars.

Syria has in the last few months witnessed widespread and violent protests against President Bashar al-Assad's autocratic regime. Assad and his brutal army have been accused of torturing, raping and killing protestors to thwart the rebellion.

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Blasts rock Syrian capital, many killed

Last updated on: May 10, 2012 14:57 IST
A vehicle burns at the site of an explosion in Damascus

Former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan has recently warned Assad that the nation was on the verge of collapsing into a civil war.

Some media reports claimed that one blast was triggered by a car bomb and the other was aimed at the office of the much hated Syrian intelligence agency.

The outer wall of the agency was destroyed in the attack but the main office building remained intact.

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Blasts rock Syrian capital, many killed

Last updated on: May 10, 2012 14:57 IST
People and security personnel try to remove a car from an explosion site in Damascus

Damascus and its neighbouring areas have witnessed a number of blasts with the escalation of the unrest in Syria. Most of these bomb attacks target government buildings and security installations.

The intelligence agency is located in a military compound in northern Damascus.

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Last updated on: May 10, 2012 14:57 IST

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