Fact Check: "Over 60 people wounded in church bombing during prayers."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, a suicide bombing occurred at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in Dweila, a suburb of Damascus, Syria. According to the Syrian health ministry, the attack resulted in at least 25 fatalities and 63 injuries (BBC, CBS News). Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene where a gunman opened fire before detonating an explosive vest inside the church, which was reportedly filled with worshippers at the time (Reuters, CBS News).
The attack has been attributed to an individual affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), although the group did not immediately claim responsibility (BBC, CBS News). The incident marks a significant act of violence in a region that has seen a resurgence of extremist activity following years of civil conflict.
Analysis
The claim that "over 60 people were wounded in a church bombing during prayers" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Syrian health ministry reported 63 injuries resulting from the bombing, which aligns with the figures provided by both BBC and CBS News.
Eyewitness accounts corroborate the details of the attack, describing the sequence of events leading to the explosion and the immediate aftermath, which included significant chaos and panic among the congregation (Reuters, CBS News). The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on Middle Eastern affairs.
However, it is important to note that the casualty figures can sometimes vary slightly between reports due to the chaotic nature of such events and ongoing updates from health officials. Nevertheless, the consensus across multiple outlets confirms that the number of wounded exceeds 60, thus validating the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that "over 60 people were wounded in a church bombing during prayers" is accurate based on multiple credible sources reporting 63 injuries from the attack. The consistency of the information across various reputable media outlets supports the validity of this claim.
