September 17, 2024
Syria: ‘At least 100’ evacuees killed in bus convoy blast
Thousands of people have been stranded on buses after a population transfer deal between the government and rebels stalled.
AN explosion has hit a bus convoy carrying evacuees near the Syrian city of Aleppo, killing at least 100 people, according the opposition rescue service.
It is believed the buses involved were carrying residents evacuated from two pro-government villages in northern Syria when they were hit in Rashidin.
The Syrian Civil Defense – also known as the White Helmets – said its volunteers removed at least 100 bodies from the scene of the blast.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the blast was caused by a car bomb.
Thousands of people from areas including Foua, Kfraya, Madaya and Zabadani have been stuck in dozens of buses in two separate convoys on the edge of Aleppo city for more than 30 hours.
They are involved in a population transfer deal but have been stranded since the agreement stalled.
One of those stranded is Ahmed Afandar from Madaya who has described the situation as “disastrous”.
He said: “The people are restless. All these thousands of people are stuck in less than half a kilometre.
“We are not moving forward or backward.”
Food has been distributed but those on board the buses do not have access to toilets.
The deal to transfer people from both sides stalled when the rebels and government disagreed over the number of gunmen that could be evacuated.
