Syria's Defense Ministry reports 11 soldiers killed in explosion at military depot in Deir ez-Zor

Eleven service members were killed in an explosion at a weapons depot in the city of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, according to a statement by the Defense Ministry of the Arab republic's transitional government.

"The bodies of 11 killed soldiers were recovered by rescuers while clearing the rubble of a collapsed building in the Ayyash district in the west of the city, where ammunition was stored," the text states. "Another nine people were taken to hospitals with injuries."

A press release from the administration of Deir ez-Zor province says the explosion occurred on the evening of September 18, and the territory of the military facility was cordoned off. "An investigation is underway to establish the causes and circumstances of the incident," the text notes.

Source: TASS