Explosion at Syrian petrol station kills or wounds dozens

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/03/syria-petrol-station-car-bomb

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At least nine people were feared dead after a car bomb exploded on Thursday at a petrol station in the capital Damascus, Syrian opposition activists said. The death toll is likely to rise because many more sustained critical injuries.

The bombing took place in the Barzeh al-Balad district, whose residents include a mix of majority Sunni Muslims and several other religious and ethnic minorities. The petrol station was packed with people queueing for fuel, which has become increasingly scarce during the country's 21-month civil war, the activists said.

The opposition Revolution Leadership Council in Damascus said in a statement: "A booby-trapped car at the site killed several people and injured dozens." There was no immediate indication of who may have been responsible.

An activist who lives in the area said he saw ambulances taking away burned bodies and wounded people with severe burns before he was ordered away by security forces surrounding the station. Breakdown trucks removed destroyed vehicles, he added.

"The station is usually packed even when it has no fuel. Lots of people sleep there overnight, waiting for early morning consignments," said the activist, who did not want to be named.

He said brawls have increased lately at the petrol station between militia loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and ordinary citizens waiting for fuel.