Twenty people were killed in an explosion at the Orthodox Church of St. Elijah (Mar Elias) in Damascus, the Syrian Health Ministry said on Sunday.
Another 52 people were injured. The explosion in the church occurred on Sunday evening. According to the Syrian Interior Ministry, a suicide bomber entered the building and opened fire, then blew himself up with an explosive vest. Syria TV, citing eyewitnesses, reported that two men attacked the church.
Video footage showing the interior of the church shows benches shattered into pieces by the force of the explosion and the bloodied bodies of parishioners scattered throughout the church.
Residents of nearby areas reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by the sound of sirens as security forces tried to cordon off the area and civil defence personnel rushed to the church. Law enforcement agencies believe the attacker is linked to the Islamic State terrorist organisation.
The attack took place in the Dweila neighbourhood, where most residents are Christian. The evening attack was the first major atrocity committed by an Islamist terrorist group in Syria since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.
