Two powerful blasts hit the Syrian capital on Thursday, killing and wounding dozens of people.

Two powerful blasts hit the Syrian capital on Thursday, killing and wounding dozens of people.

The two powerful explosions were carried out by suicide bombers and killed at least 55 people while wounding another 372, Syria's interior ministry said.

The bombers used more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of explosives in their vehicles, the ministry said, cited by state television.

“Two terrorist explosions hit Damascus near al-Qazaz intersection at the southern ring-road”, state news agency, SANA, said, adding that the explosions “took place at a densely populated area as they coincided with the employees and the students are going to their jobs and schools”.

Al-Manar TV correspondent said that the explosions were the most powerful since the Syrian crisis started on March 15. He reported that citizens were enraged by the awful destruction that struck the cities.

Television footage at the site of the blasts showed an apocalyptic scene with charred bodies and the carcasses of vehicles with smoke still rising from them.

STOP BLOODSHED
The Head of the UN mission in Syria, Major General Robert Mood appealed for help to stop the bloodshed in the country, as he visited the site of the attacks.

"This is yet another example of the suffering brought upon the people of Syria from acts of violence", the Norwegian general said as he visited the site of one of the blasts.

"We, the world community, are here with the Syrian people and I call on everyone within and outside Syria to help stop this violence", he said, according to a statement.

Mood surveyed the damage left by the explosions which came just a day after the Norwegian general escaped unharmed when a roadside bomb exploded as he led a team of UN observers into the southern flashpoint city of Daraa.
Six Syrian soldiers escorting them were reportedly hurt in Wednesday's bombing.