At least five dead, 180 injured in Damascus storms

DAMASCUS (AFP) Feb 23, 2004
At least five people were killed and 180 injured as gale force winds of up to 150 kilometres (95 miles) an hour and snow showers swept through the Syrian capital, newspapers reported on Monday.

Sunday's gusts uprooted trees, knocked down electricity pylons and blew away television antennae, as well as causing power cuts and heavy damage to properties in Damascus.

The government daily Tishrin said five people were killed, while Syria Times gave an injured toll of 180.

A crane weighing at least 200 tonnes came crashing down on an apartment block in downtown Damascus, leaving two injured, including a baby, and demolishing several homes, said another official daily, Ath-Thawra.

The roofs of the ancient souks of Bouzouriyeh and Medhat Pasha in the capital's Old Town collapsed, Tishrin said.

TERRA.WIRE