MOSCOW, September 22 (RIA Novosti) – A mortar shell struck the Russian embassy in Damascus on Sunday injuring at least three, Russian officials said.
“About an hour ago a mortar shell fell on the territory of the embassy,” the embassy spokesman said, adding that it has continued its work.
The Foreign Ministry released a statement later on Sunday saying that at least three people working at the embassy received injuries, but their lives were out of danger.
Earlier reports on Sunday said citing embassy sources that two people were hurt by stones at the blast scene and they received medical assistance, while the embassy spokesman said that no one was injured in the incident.
An embassy source said the attack was “apparently an accident.” Another source told RIA Novosti the shell had left a 1-meter diameter hole.
Earlier this month, Russia’s embassy in Damascus was also hit by a mortar shell. No casualties were reported. Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a “barbaric act.”
In early June, five shells hit the Al-Adwi district of Damascus, where the Russian Embassy is located, killing a civilian and injuring a Syrian security officer. No embassy staff were hurt in the attack.
Updates with the number of hurt, confirmation by embassy’s spokesman, changes lead.
