18 Injured in Damascus Explosions During Macron's Visit

French President Emmanuel Macron was unharmed after an explosion went off near his hotel in the Syrian capital.

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18 Injured in Damascus Explosions During Macron's Visit

An explosion occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus on Tuesday, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying ahead of his meeting with the Syrian President.

President Macron was unharmed and had already arrived at the Presidential Palace when the blasts occurred, according to the Élysée Palace. France’s BFMTV confirmed that the President had been staying at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Two separate explosions were reported in the capital, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The blasts occurred while security officers were attempting to dismantle two explosive devices. At least 18 people were injured in the incident, including four police officers.

One explosion took place near the Four Seasons Hotel in the center of the city, while the second blast went off near the Ministry of Tourism, a Syrian official confirmed.

The site of the explosion was “outside the security perimeter” designated for President Macron’s residence, SANA reported, citing Syria’s Ministry of Interior.

According to official reports, both devices were made “in a primitive way.” The first device was placed inside a parked vehicle, while the second was hidden inside a garbage container.

Local authorities have launched an immediate investigation to find those responsible for the incident.

President Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening to meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This marks the first official visit by a Western leader to the country since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

The explosions on Tuesday occurred less than a week after another attack in the Syrian capital, which left nine people dead and 22 others injured.

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18 Injured in Damascus Explosions During Macron's Visit

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