Media: Syrian tourism official hurt in blasts near ministry building in Damascus

Syrian Deputy Tourism Minister Faraj al-Qashqoush sustained minor injuries in explosions that rocked central Damascus, according to Al Mayadeen.

The explosions occurred on Tuesday morning, July 7, near the Syrian Ministry of Tourism building while security personnel were attempting to defuse explosive devices. One bomb had been planted in a trash bin, while another was hidden in a parked vehicle, the report said.

The blast wave shattered several windows at the ministry building. A total of 18 people were injured, including four police officers.

The explosions took place in the area surrounding the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus, where French President Emmanuel Macron and his delegation were staying during an official visit to Syria. According to Al Hadath, Macron’s motorcade left the residence approximately 15 minutes before the explosions.

Macron arrived in Damascus on July 6. Following official talks, he had dinner with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa at a restaurant in the city’s historic quarter before visiting the eighth-century Umayyad Mosque.

By Jeyhun Aghazada