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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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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 blasts 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 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 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 had died. | 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. |
| In almost two years of fighting in Syria, Aleppo has been the scene of intense conflict between government and opposition forces. | In almost two years of fighting in Syria, Aleppo has been the scene of intense conflict between government and opposition forces. |
| However, neither side has been able to force the other to retreat for good, says the BBC's James Reynolds in neighbouring Turkey. | However, neither side has been able to force the other to retreat for good, says the BBC's James Reynolds in neighbouring Turkey. |
| Critical injuries | Critical injuries |
| Video footage of the aftermath of the explosions in Syria's second city showed the facade of one of the university residences blown away. | Video footage of the aftermath of the explosions in Syria's second city showed the facade of one of the university residences blown away. |
| Burned-out vehicles and bodies could be seen on the street outside, while tearful survivors were shown taking refuge in a nearby building. | Burned-out vehicles and bodies could be seen on the street outside, while tearful survivors were shown taking refuge in a nearby building. |
| 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 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 SOHR emerged as one of the most prominent organisations documenting and reporting incidents and casualties in the Syrian conflict. The group says its reports are impartial. | |
| The governor of Aleppo, Mohammed Wahid Akkad, told the AFP news agency that so far 82 had died and more than 160 were wounded. | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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 United Nations says more than 60,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. | 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". | 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". |