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Syria crisis: Dozens killed by Aleppo university blasts Syria crisis: Dozens killed by Aleppo university blasts
(35 minutes later)
More than 50 people have been killed by two explosions at a university campus in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, activists and officials say. More than 50 people have been killed by two blasts in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, activists and officials say.
The blasts reportedly struck an area between Aleppo University's halls of residence and the architecture faculty. The explosions reportedly struck an area between the University of Aleppo's halls of residence and the architecture faculty on the first day of exams.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 52, but Aleppo's governor said 82 people were killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 52, but Aleppo's governor said 82 people had died.
State TV said "terrorists" had launched rockets at the campus, but activists blamed missiles fired by warplanes.State TV said "terrorists" had launched rockets at the campus, but activists blamed missiles fired by warplanes.
Aleppo has been the scene of numerous bombings and air strikes, as government forces try to dislodge rebels there. In almost two years of fighting in Syria, Aleppo has been the scene of intense conflict between government and opposition forces.
Rebel forces have made sweeping gains in northern Syria in recent months and Aleppo is largely under their control. However, neither side has been able to force the other to retreat for good, says the BBC's James Reynolds in neighbouring Turkey.
The university is located in an area under government control. Critical injuries
The state news agency, Sana, said the university was hit on the first day of student exams. Video footage of the aftermath of the explosions in Syria's second city showed the facade of one of the university residences blown away.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, reported two explosions and said dozens of people had been wounded. Burned-out vehicles and bodies could be seen on the street outside, while tearful survivors were shown taking refuge in a nearby building.
Pictures on state television showed at least one body and several vehicles on fire. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said at least 52 people had been killed, but added that the figure might rise dramatically because dozens were in a critical condition in hospital.
The governor of Aleppo, Mohammed Wahid Akkad, told the AFP news agency that so far 82 had died and more than 160 were wounded.
Mr Akkad blamed a "terrorist attack that targeted students on their first day of exams".
A military source told AFP that a stray surface-to-air missile fired by rebels had hit the campus, which lies in a government-controlled area of the city. The nearest rebel-held area is more than a mile away.
However, no rebel group has said it was behind the blasts, and opposition activists said government had sent fighter jets to bomb the campus.
The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), an opposition activist network, posted a link to an online video which purported to show warplanes bombing the campus.
It showed students walking quickly away from the university after the first explosion. The camera then shakes to the sound of another explosion and people begin running.
"The warplanes of this criminal regime do not respect a mosque, a church or a university," a student who gave his name as Abu Tayem told the Reuters news agency.
Rebels have previously carried out bombings against government targets in Aleppo. In October, at least 34 people were killed in a series of bombings in the city's main square.Rebels have previously carried out bombings against government targets in Aleppo. In October, at least 34 people were killed in a series of bombings in the city's main square.
The UN says at least 60,000 people have been killed since protests in March 2011 turned into an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The United Nations says more than 60,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.
Meanwhile, Russia has rejected a request from more than 50 countries to have the UN Security Council refer the conflict in Syria to the International Criminal Court, calling the initiative "ill-timed and counterproductive".