Stampede at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Claims Three Lives

 A tragic stampede at the historic Umayyad Mosque on Friday resulted in the death of three individuals, according to Governor Maher Marwan. The incident occurred during a civilian event at the mosque, the governor told the state news agency, SANA.

The White Helmets rescue group confirmed that the victims were women, and five children sustained injuries, including fractures. Rescuers managed to save a young girl from the crowd.

Local reports indicate that the stampede was triggered during the distribution of free meals organized by a social media personality, Chef Abu Omar, a YouTuber known for his Istanbul-based restaurant. Preparations for the event had been shared on his channel earlier.

Notably, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had visited the mosque earlier in the day, adding to the landmark's prominence in international circles.

This tragic event underscores the challenges of managing large gatherings, even in revered and historic locations such as the Umayyad Mosque.