Car blast kills seven in Syria's Azaz town

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the bomb exploded in the middle of a popular market

The blast happened in the rebel-held town of Azaz in Aleppo province. AFP

At least seven people were killed and about 30 injured in a car blast in a busy market place in the rebel-held Syrian town Azaz, near the Turkish border, residents and rescuers said.

Sources said the blast occurred during peak late night shopping after breaking the fast during Ramadan. “It's timing comes with heavy congestion by shoppers,” one witness Yaseen Shalabi told Reuters.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The Arab-populated town in Aleppo province is run by Syrian rebel groups.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “a car bomb exploded in the middle of a popular market” in Azaz.

The UK-based organisation, which has a network of sources inside Syria, said Saturday's blast caused “significant damage” and ignited a fire.

It added that ambulances and rescue personnel were at the scene.