Explosion heard in Syria’s capital Damascus: state media

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Blast at a cafe in Damascus reportedly wounded several people.

An explosion at a cafe in central Damascus has killed at least five people and injured 16, according to Syria’s Ministry of Health.

The explosion was reported at around 3:24pm local time (12:24 GMT) at a cafe on al-Nasser Street in the al-Marjah district, in the capital’s Hejaz area, according to Syrian state media.

An Al Jazeera correspondent in Damascus said Syrian security forces had cordoned off the site.

Syrian state television said the blast was caused by an explosive device.

An Al Jazeera colleague in Damascus at the scene said that security forces had set up a cordon around the site.

SANA said authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

More to come.