Death toll from bomb blast at Damascus cafe rises to 10

Syria's health ministry said on Friday the death toll from a bomb attack at a Damascus cafe the previous day had risen to 10, with 21 people wounded.

The bombing -- the deadliest since a suicide attack on a church last year -- was not immediately claimed.

It took place near the capital's Palace of Justice, a key government building, sparking scenes of panic in the busy area.

Authorities said it was caused by an explosive device planted at the scene. The homemade bomb weighed about one kilogram and was packed with metal fragments.

The health ministry had previously said nine people were killed and 20 wounded.

Since the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria's new authorities led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa have sought to exercise full control, restore security and reunify the country.

Damascus has been the site of multiple attacks and incidents since the new authorities took over.

The deadliest came in June 2025, when an attack on a Damascus church killed 25 people.

The suicide attack was later claimed by a Sunni Islamist group, while the authorities blamed it on the Islamic State group.

More recently, there have been other incidents, including the killing in May of a soldier in a car bombing in Damascus's Old City.