Four people were killed and sixteen injured in a crush at Umayyad Mosque in Syria's capital Damascus on Friday, Damascus Health Director Dr Mohammed Akram Maatouq told the state-run Sana news agency.
Five of the injured were children, who suffered fractures, severe bruises and fainting, the country's civil defence said in a statement.
"An unfortunate incident occurred today in the Great Umayyad Mosque as a result of a stampede during a civil event held in and around the mosque," Governor Maher Marwan told the state-run Sana news agency.
The governor said "we bear full responsibility" for the incident. "We are working to take urgent measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in public places in the future."
He added that the Ministry of Interior had launched an investigation to determine the details of the incident and its cause. He said necessary measures would be taken to hold those responsible accountable.
The White Helmets rescue group said three women were among the dead.
Social media activists said the crush occurred during a free lunch to celebrate victory after the overthrow of the Assad regime.
A YouTube influencer called Chef Abu Omar, who has a restaurant in Istanbul, had earlier posted a video of preparations for the distribution of free meals at Umayyad Mosque, AFP reported.
Rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, listed in the West as a terrorist group, toppled president Bashar Al Assad on December 8 in the culmination of a lightning offensive after years of stalemate in more than a decade of civil war.
Explained
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• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Tomorrow 2021
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• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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2007 Osaka
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2009 Berlin
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2011 Daegu
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2015 Beijing
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Background: Chemical Weapons
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
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Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
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Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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