Explosion near the Palace of Justice in Damascus, reports of casualties

2026-07-02T12:47:51.341Z

An explosion occurred inside a café near the Palace of Justice building in the center of the Syrian capital Damascus, causing deaths and injuries according to preliminary information, amid scenes of destruction and serious injuries. News reports conflicted over the cause of the explosion between a gas cylinder and a lithium battery, while medical teams and firefighters rushed to the site.

An explosion occurred inside a café near the Palace of Justice building in the Syrian capital Damascus, resulting in a number of casualties and injuries, according to preliminary information.

Video clips and photos circulating from the incident site showed a number of people injured, including some lying on the ground with blood stains visible, while some of the injured appeared in serious condition and unconscious.

Those present at the scene and its surroundings rushed to transport the injured to nearby hospitals for first aid, while medical teams and fire engines arrived at the site.

Crowds gathered around the explosion site, while traffic police worked to open a path for cars on Al-Nasr Street towards the Palace of Justice, which is located opposite the main entrance of the famous Al-Hamidiyah Souq in the heart of Damascus.

Initial accounts about the cause of the explosion conflicted; Syrian news platforms indicated it may have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion inside the café, while the 'North Press' platform quoted eyewitnesses that the explosion may have been due to a lithium battery. The official number of casualties is not yet known, pending an official statement from the Syrian authorities.