Twin explosions were reported in a central area of Damascus, the Syrian capital, during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the country.
The French president’s official residence and office said the explosions occurred on Tuesday (July 7) morning, but that President Macron is safe.
Macron is currently in Damascus for meetings and talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The two were scheduled to meet at the presidential palace.
A security source told the BBC that 18 people were injured in explosions at two separate locations.
After concluding his visit to Syria, Macron will travel to Turkey to attend a NATO summit. According to the Élysée Palace, his itinerary is proceeding as planned with no changes.
Videos and photos circulating on social media following the blasts showed smoke and flames rising from a vehicle near a hotel in Damascus.
Meanwhile, Syrian state television reported that President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed President Macron at the presidential palace.
BBC Verify reviewed video footage of the explosions and found they occurred on the pavement of Shukri al-Quwatli Street, one of the capital’s main roads, about 125 meters from the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus.
French authorities said Macron did not hear any explosion sounds while en route to the presidential palace.
Macron, who arrived in Syria on Monday evening, is the first European Union head of state to visit the country since the end of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report