Deadly Explosion in Idlib Countryside Leaves Over 100 Casualties
At least five killed and over 100 injured in massive blast near Maarrat Misrin, as unidentified aircraft spotted overhead
Syria, PUREWILAYAH.COM - A massive explosion near Maarrat Misrin in Idlib's countryside has killed at least five civilians and injured over 100, including women and children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
A powerful explosion tore through the Idlib countryside Thursday morning, claiming the lives of at least five civilians and leaving more than 100 others wounded.
The blast occurred near the town of Maarrat Misrin in northern Idlib, sending massive fireballs and thick columns of smoke into the sky.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the explosion ripped through an ammunition depot, leading to a series of violent secondary blasts. The incident took place amid the presence of unidentified aircraft flying overhead, with the observatory noting that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
Hospitals Overwhelmed as Medical Response Struggles
Idlib’s Health Directorate confirmed that more than 100 people, including women and children, sustained injuries in the explosion.
Maarrat Misrin Hospital alone received 71 wounded, placing immense pressure on local medical facilities already strained by years of conflict.
Civil Defense Teams Mobilized Amid Ongoing Danger
Syrian civil defense responds amid risk of secondary blasts
Raed al-Saleh, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management in the interim government, said that Syrian Civil Defense teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.
In a statement on X, he reported that evacuation efforts began swiftly, despite the ongoing threat of further explosions.
Al-Saleh emphasized that a final casualty count has not yet been determined, as emergency crews continue their work under hazardous conditions.
He urged residents to avoid the area for their own safety, highlighting the difficult and dangerous environment in which rescue teams are operating.
Cause of Blast Still Unknown
Eyewitnesses and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the presence of unidentified aircraft circling above the site during the explosion. However, Syria’s state-run broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported that the exact cause of the blast remains unknown. (PW)
Source: Al-Mayadeen