Explosive devices detonate near Macron’s hotel in Damascus
French President Emmanuel Macron was unharmed after explosions struck near the Four Seasons Hotel during his official visit to the Syrian capital. No casualties have been confirmed.
Several explosive devices detonated near the Four Seasons Hotel in central Damascus on Tuesday morning, close to where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during an official visit to Syria.
Smoke rose from the area after at least two explosions were heard. Syrian security forces sealed roads surrounding the hotel and introduced additional security measures. Emergency vehicles were sent to the scene.
Macron was travelling to the presidential palace for talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions occurred. The French presidency said he was safe, had not heard the blasts and continued with his scheduled meeting.
There was no immediate official confirmation of deaths or injuries. The extent of the damage also remained unclear, and no group had claimed responsibility.
Authorities have not established whether the explosions were connected to Macron’s visit.
The French president arrived in Damascus on Monday, becoming the first European Union head of state to visit Syria since Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in December 2024. His talks with al-Sharaa were expected to cover Syria’s political transition, security and reconstruction.
Tuesday’s explosions came five days after a bomb detonated inside a café near the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 20.