Blast in central Damascus kills five, injures dozens PHOTO / VIDEO / UPDATED

At least five people were killed and 16 others injured after an explosion struck a crowded café in central Damascus, according to Al Jazeera.

Syrian state television reported that the blast occurred near the Palace of Justice in the heart of the capital.

There were no immediate details on the cause of the explosion, and no group has claimed responsibility. Authorities have not confirmed whether the incident was an attack.

17:21

Four people were killed and several others injured in an explosion on Al-Nasr Street in Damascus, Ahmad al-Bakour, Director of the Emergency and Ambulance Department at Syria’s Ministry of Health, told SANA.

He noted that 14 people were taken to a local hospital following the blast, including four victims who were pronounced dead.

One additional injured person was transferred to a hospital operated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

16:43

Several people were injured in an explosion at a cafe in Damascus on Thursday, July 2, while the cause of the blast remains unclear, according to state news agency SANA.

State television reported that the explosion occurred near the Palace of Justice.

By Jeyhun Aghazada