(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In a horrifying disaster, the city of Lattakia, Syria, has seen 16 people perish in the explosion of an unexploded ordnance at a local hardware store.
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A scrap dealer inadvertently triggered the device, leading to a catastrophic building collapse and the deaths of at least 16 people, including women and children.
As the nation fights to handle remnants of its conflict, this grim event highlights the significant risks faced by innocent residents.
The explosion in Latakia, Syria was caused by ordnance left over from the prolonged civil war.
The detonation resulted in the collapse of a four-story building and claimed at least 16 lives.
This horrific accident was reportedly caused by a scrap dealer handling unexploded munitions in a metal scrap storage area on the building’s ground floor.
Among those killed were five women and five children.
The Syrian Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets, reported 18 injuries and conducted search operations throughout the night to find survivors amidst the debris.
The timing of this explosion coincides with the 14th anniversary of the initial protests leading to the ousting of President Bashar Al-Assad, which marked the beginning of the civil war.
The area’s history of violence only adds to the chaos and danger in this otherwise vibrant coastal city.
Images showed smoke and rubble enveloping the crowded southern neighborhood of Al-Rimal, painting a grim picture of the aftermath.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, this tragic event is understood to be an unfortunate “accident.”
Throughout the conflict’s duration, remnants of explosive ordnance continue to pose serious threats to civilian life, and this tragedy underscores the urgency of addressing this menace, DW reports.
The United Nations estimates that around 100 people have died due to exploding ordnance over the past 13 years, and 138 contaminated areas have been identified.
This incident is a stark reminder of the thousands of unexploded munitions that aid agencies like Humanity and Inclusion have indicated remain in Syria.
Their estimates suggest there are between 100,000 and 300,000 unexploded devices, posing ongoing threats to civilians.
In recent times, Lattakia has witnessed increased violence, with over 1,000 deaths resulting from the aggressive clashes between Assad loyalists and forces loyal to interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The political tension continues to escalate, especially after Assad’s fall and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, a figure Israel has criticized for his background in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, labeling him a terrorist.
In the aftermath of Assad’s ouster, Israel asserted control over the Syrian side of the demilitarized zone established in 1974, a move which remains contested by al-Sharaa.
Meanwhile, attacks from various fronts and the enduring presence of unexploded ordnance continue to put innocent lives in jeopardy, demanding urgent attention and action from international communities.
An unexploded bomb from Syria's 13-year conflict exploded in the city of Lattakia, killing at least 16 people.
Experts estimate that between 100,000 and 300,000 of the roughly one million munitions used during the civil war never detonated. https://t.co/kptILL3Xq5
— DW News (@dwnews) March 16, 2025
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