Explosion kills 3, injures 20 in E. Syria

At least three people were killed and 20 others injured in an explosion of unknown origin on Monday at an entry point to Al-Bukamal, a city in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Al-Zour, reported Xinhua, quoting state media.

According to the state-run SANA news agency, Syrian Civil Defense teams have recovered the victims' bodies, evacuated the wounded to local hospitals, and extinguished a fire ignited by the blast.

It said the explosion occurred near a fuel distribution center, which intensified the blaze.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion, and no group has claimed responsibility.

Located near the Syria-Iraq border, the strategic border town of Al-Bukamal has been the target of previous attacks, often attributed to Islamic State remnants operating in the region.