07.07.2026 11:00
An explosion occurred near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying in Damascus, the capital of Syria, as part of his official visit. The first images from the attack, reportedly carried out with a car bomb, have emerged. The footage shows black smoke rising and a vehicle engulfed in flames.
During French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus, a series of explosions were heard in the Syrian capital. Following the blasts, roads in the area were closed to traffic, and security forces took extensive precautions.
FIRST IMAGES
The first images from the scene after the explosion showed a vehicle engulfed in flames and burning fiercely.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE ELYSEE PALACE: MACRON DID NOT HEAR THE EXPLOSION
Syrian State Television reported that after the explosion sounds were heard in Damascus, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara received French President Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace.
The first statement came from the Elysee Palace. In the statement, it was noted that Macron did not hear any explosion sounds and was not affected by the blast.
MACRON'S VISIT CONTINUES
French President Emmanuel Macron had traveled to Syria on Monday, becoming the first European Union leader to visit Damascus after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
No official statement has yet been made by authorities regarding the cause of the explosions or any potential casualties.