BEIRUT, March 15. /TASS/. At least three people have been killed in a powerful explosion in southern Latakia in Syria.

A building collapsed in the Raml neighborhood as a result of the blast, Syria TV reported. The number of injured residents is currently being specified. The causes of the blast have yet to be established.

Rescue teams from the Syrian Civil Defense Forces have arrived at the scene. Relief efforts to rescue people from under the debris are underway, the TV channel reported.

On March 6-10, the interim government’s security forces held an operation against gunmen linked to the former Syrian leader, Bashar Assad, in the governorates of Latakia, Tartus, Hama and Homs. More than 1,500 people were killed in clashes.