Four people lost their lives, and 16 others were injured in a stampede at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Friday, according to the Syrian state news agency (SANA).
The civil defence reported that five children suffered fractures, severe bruises, and fainting during the incident.
Authorities are investigating the causes of the tragedy and have pledged to hold those responsible accountable, Damascus Governor Maher Marwan told SANA.
“We are taking urgent measures to ensure such incidents are not repeated in public spaces in the future,” Marwan was quoted as saying.
This incident comes against the backdrop of significant political change in Syria. On 8 December, the country’s new rulers seized control of Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee after over 13 years of civil war, bringing an end to his family’s decades-long rule.
