40 children, nurses killed in gas explosion at clinic

dimeji akinloye

May 31, 2015 9:45 PM

According to activists who spoke to Aljazeera, at least 40 people were killed and scores badly injured in the incident that happened on Sunday, May 31.

A Syrian refugee runs with a gas bottle cylinder, between burning tents.

Dozens of patients, including children and nurses, have died after a gas exploded in Maysaloun clinic in Qamishli near northeastern province of Hasakah in Syria, a monitoring group said.

“The fire took place east of the city at the Maysaloun clinic. We had just begun a vaccination campaign for the children with the help of the UN,” a local activist who requested to remain anonymous told Aljazeera.

“The death toll could rise to 50, including nurses, women and children. We found 18 burnt bodies, it was horrific. We have cases of second and third degree burns” he added.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said dozens of people were killed in the fire, and did not report a final death toll yet.

The observatory said the reason behind the explosion is yet to be ascertained.

The observatory also confirmed the death of at least 65 people overnight due to government air strikes on the city of Qamishli. The death toll includes 22 civilians and 43 fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

dimeji akinloye