As a result of an explosion in Latakia province, located in western Syria, at least three people were killed and 12 others were injured, reported the official Syrian news agency SANA. The Syrian Human Rights Organization claims that it was an "incident" caused by military leftovers.
According to SANA, "a strong explosion shook the southern Ramlya area in Latakia province, and as of now, the reasons are unknown"; it occurred in a building consisting of four floors. They later reported, citing the Latakia government, that the explosion "led to the death of three people and the injury of 12," adding that "rescuers and local residents are still looking for the injured and missing."
According to the Syrian Human Rights Organization, the explosion was the result of "rockets from military leftovers, which detonated during its demolition by a person engaged in scrap collection in his house." Witnesses reported hearing "a loud explosion" and seeing "a completely destroyed building, surrounded by rescuers and emergency services, with many people gathered trying to assist those trapped under the rubble."
Photos published by the SANA agency show a column of white smoke rising above the explosion site. A report released by the governmental organization "Humanitarian and Integrated Research" last month warned of the dangers arising from unexploded ordnance left behind after the devastating conflict that started in 2011.
In the past month, more than eight civilians, including three children, were killed when unexploded ordnance detonated in a house in northwest Syria, according to the Syrian Human Rights Organization and the Red Crescent.
