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For Immediate Release
March 30, 2017
Washington, D.C.- Earlier today, around 6 am local time, different areas in Latamneh were hit by barrel bombs containing chemical weapons agents, injuring 166 civilians and 7 medical staff. Medical personnel treating victims were affected by direct contact with their patients and were evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to initial reports from the ground, these barrel bombs, in addition to containing the identifiable chlorine gas, were suspected to contain other toxic agents based on the symptoms seen in patients: pinpoint pupils, convulsions, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are indicative of barrel bombs containing chemical agents similar to sarin gas.
Earlier this week, SAMS lost one of its brave doctors, Dr. Ali Darwish to a chemical weapon attack on his hospital in Hama while he was operating on a patient.
SAMS is appalled and disheartened by the inaction of the international community while clearly documented crimes against humanity are being committed in Syria on a daily basis. SAMS is taking the necessary steps to investigate these chemical weapon attacks and identify the toxic agents that have been dropped on the people of Hama. We call on the international community to act immediately to stop the use of chemical weapon attacks in Syria and to provide protection gear and mask to our staff members in Syria who continue to risk their lives to save others.
Photos and videos from today’s attacks are available here.
For media requests, please contact our Media and Communications Manager, Lobna Hassairi at lobna.hassairi@sams-usa.net.
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