The chemical attack in Syria which killed more than 70 people – including at least 30 children and 20 women – is reported to have killed 22 members of the same family, including baby twins. It is believed that the death toll will likely rise.
Photos and video have emerged in the wake of the attack in Khan Sheikhoun earlier this week, including of Abdel Hameed Alyousef, the father of the twins, as he buried his children in a mass grave alongside 20 other members of his clan. The Alyousef family is one the main clans in the town.
“I carried them outside the house with their mother,” the 29-year-old told the Associated Press. “They were conscious at first, but 10 minutes later we could smell the odour.”
The US and other Western countries have accused Syrian president Bashar al-Assad of being behind the attack, while Syria and its main ally and backer Russia have denied involvement. The strike occurred in opposition-controlled territory. The Syrian government has told the international community that their stocks of chemical weapons have been destroyed.
Footage emerged yesterday of people in the aftermath of the chemical attack, which was widely shared on Facebook and Twitter:
Alaa Alyousef, a family member, describes the family being awoken by the sounds of impacts a few hundred metres away from their compound. According to the AP, upon smelling smoke the family “frantically closed windows and dampened cloths with water and apple vinegar to put over their faces.”
On the way to the grave, Abdel Hameed Alyousef asked his cousin to film him saying a goodbye to his children.
Source: ABC.
Photo: Supplied.
