At Least 53 Dead After Damascus Car Bomb Explosion

This may be the deadliest attack in Syria’s capital since the country’s civil war began in March 2011.

1. A massive car bomb exploded Thursday in Damascus, Syria, near the headquarters of the ruling political party.

Image by Anonymous / AP

2. Syrian state media referred to the attack as a suicide bombing by “terrorists” who oppose the government and President Bashar al-Assad, according to the AP.

Image by Anonymous / AP

3. Syrian media also reported that 53 people died. But rebel activists put the toll at 59. That figure exceeds Damascus’ most deadly attack of the two-year conflict — a double suicide bombing that killed 55 last May.

Syrian security agents carrying a body.

Image by Anonymous / AP

4. Both reports indicate more than 200 were wounded.

Image by Anonymous / AP

Image by SANA / Reuters

Image by SANA / Reuters

Image by Anonymous / AP

Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers carry a wounded man.

Image by Anonymous / AP

Syrians shout slogans as they stand next to the crater.

Image by LOUAI BESHARA / Getty Images

Image by LOUAI BESHARA / Getty Images

Image by SANA / Reuters

An injured Syrian man lies on the ground after the explosion.

Image by Anonymous / AP