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Foreign journalists in Syria came under artillery fire from Turkish border — official

The group consisted of 33 journalists from Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, the United States, China, Russia and Canada

HMEIMIM, March 1. /TASS/. A group of Russian and foreign journalists has come under artillery fire in Syria’s northern province Latakia. The incident occurred earlier on Tuesday near the border town of Kensaba, Syria. A total of eight artillery shells have been fired. Several people were hurt, Chinese, Canadian and Bulgarian citizens among them.

According to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, the artillery attack that hit the group of journalists was carried out from the Turkish border.

"The shells were fired from the Turkish border, the area of Dama, near Idlib," he said.

The group consisted of 33 journalists from Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, the United States, China, Russia and Canada. Those hurt received first aid. Military personnel from the Russian air group in Syria is currently accompanying them back to town.

The Syrian army has blamed the attack on Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia) to which truce does not apply.

Konashenkov said a total of eight artillery shells had been fired. All crashed at distances ranging 150 meters to 400 meters away from the journalists. Several people - Bulgarian, Canadian and Chinese nationals suffered light bruises. The incident occurred near the Syrian city of Kensaba, Latakia province.