DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — It was an accident, not terrorism. Syria's interior minister says an bus explosion at a surburban Damascus gas station was an accident that killed three people.
The official says a bus driver and two gas station workers died when a tire they were pumping up exploded. One witness said the explosion set off a fire, possibly from diesel coming from the gas tank.
The Syrian official told state-run Syrian TV no explosives were involved and no pilgrims were nearby. The area, which is near a shrine dedicated to the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad, is popular with Iranian and other Shiite pilgrims.
An Associated Press photographer saw a damaged bus with its back side gutted and charred and several windows blown out.
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<<CUT …131 (12/03/09)>> 00:07 "Muhammad is buried"
Bassem Mroue (BA'-sehm MROO'-eh)
AP Correspondent Bassem Mroue, monitoring Syrian developments from neighboring Lebanon, reports the area holds deep significance.
<<CUT …130 (12/03/09)>> 00:08 "for Shiite Muslims"
Bassem Mroue (BA'-sehm MROO'-eh)
AP Correspondent Bassem Mroue, monitoring Syrian developments from neighboring Lebanon, reports the blast was near the Syrian capital.
<<APPHOTO BEI111 (12/03/09)>>
: People gather near a damaged bus at the site where three people were killed in al-Sayeda Zeinab, an area that includes a holy shrine for Shiites in southern Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Syria's interior minister said an explosion near a bus parked at a gas station in a Damascus suburb was an accident and three people were killed.
<<APPHOTO BEI110 (12/03/09)>>
: A man inspects a damaged bus at the site where three people were killed in al-Sayeda Zeinab, an area that includes a holy shrine for Shiites in southern Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Syria's interior minister said an explosion near a bus parked at a gas station in a Damascus suburb was an accident and three people were killed.
<<APPHOTO BEI108 (12/03/09)>>
: Syrian Interior Minister Said Mohammad Sammour, center, is seen at the site of a damaged bus where three people were killed in al-Sayeda Zeinab, an area that includes a holy shrine for Shiites in southern Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Syria's interior minister said an explosion near a bus parked at a gas station in a Damascus suburb was an accident and three people were killed.
