Explosion in Latakia kills at least 16 people
An explosion in Latakia, Syria, killed at least 16 people, including five women and five children. The blast, caused by ordnance from the ongoing conflict, collapsed a building and injured 18 others. Rescue efforts by the White Helmets recovered the bodies from the debris. The explosion occurred in a metal scrap storage area on the ground floor of a four-story building. The United Nations reported that around 100 people have died from similar explosions in the past 13 years. Recent violence in Latakia has increased following clashes between government forces and insurgents.