World

Syria conflict: Marketplace air strikes 'kill 80'

August 16, 2015 6:18 pm

Syrian activists say at least 80 people have died in government air strikes on a marketplace in the rebel-held town of Douma, near Damascus.

Around 200 people were reportedly injured in the attack.

Government forces have been regularly attacking Douma and its surrounding areas in recent months with air strikes and helicopter barrel bombs.

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Hundreds of civilians have been killed alongside opposition fighters.

Images of the aftermath of Sunday’s strikes show dead bodies lined up on the floor, including some of children.

Unverified footage uploaded by activists showed a marketplace destroyed, with surrounding buildings in ruins and vehicles on fire.

The Local Co-ordination Committees, a network of anti-government activists, said that rescue workers were digging through the rubble in search of survivors.

A Douma-based activist told the Associated Press news agency that the situation was “catastrophic”, adding that clinics in the area were full and many of the wounded were being rushed in civilian cars to other medical facilities since ambulances were overwhelmed.