18 people wounded in twin Damascus explosions; 2nd blast went off near ambulance

Syria’s state news agency reports that 18 people were injured in the explosions that rocked Damascus during a visit by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, including four police officers.

The first blast hit soon after Macron’s motorcade left his hotel for the presidential palace. Reuters footage showed flames and smoke billowing from a trash can when a second explosion was caught on camera a few meters (yards) away.

The second blast went off next to an ambulance parked at the scene, where some two dozen people had gathered.

Flames and thick black smoke were seen billowing close to the shops behind, as emergency personnel worked to put out the blaze.

Cameras recorded the exact moment of the blast in Damascus, close to where the French president was staying. pic.twitter.com/fuqMCgVJv2

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 7, 2026