Courthouse suicide bombing kills at least 25 in Syrian capital Damascus; several wounded

File photo

Damascus: A suicide bomber detonated his explosives-strapped vest in the old Justice Palace building in Damascus on Wednesday afternoon killing at least 25 persons, a state-news agency report said. 

According to State TV, a militant blown himself up inside the Palace of Justice in the central Hamidiyeh district. According to preliminary report, at least 25 persons have died in the explosion. Dozens of people have been injured and casualties are likely to rise, the report added.  

Government authorities have ordered an evacuation of the area over fears of further attacks.

The attack comes on the sixth anniversary of the protests which paved the way for the Syrian conflict and is the second bombing in the Syrian capital in five days.

Twin bomb attacks killed at least 40 in Damascus last week.