Fact Check: Over 60 people wounded in devastating church bombing in Syria.

Fact Check: "Over 60 people wounded in devastating church bombing in Syria."

What We Know

On June 22, 2025, a suicide bomber attacked the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, a suburb of Damascus, Syria, during a service attended by approximately 350 people. Reports from various sources indicate that the attack resulted in at least 22 to 25 fatalities and left 63 others wounded (AP News, BBC, Newsweek). The Syrian Health Ministry confirmed these figures, stating that the attack was executed by an individual affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group, who opened fire before detonating an explosive vest inside the church (Reuters, Washington Post).

Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene where the attacker entered the church, began shooting, and subsequently detonated his explosives as congregants attempted to subdue him. Eyewitnesses reported seeing horrific injuries, with one priest stating he witnessed at least 20 people killed (AP News, BBC). The attack is noted as the first of its kind in Damascus since the civil war, raising significant concerns about the safety of religious minorities in the region (Reuters, Washington Post).

Analysis

The claim that "over 60 people were wounded" in the church bombing is supported by multiple credible sources. The AP News reported that at least 63 individuals were wounded (AP News), while the BBC and Newsweek corroborated this figure, stating that 63 others were injured in addition to the fatalities (BBC, Newsweek).

The reliability of these sources is generally high; the AP News is known for its rigorous journalistic standards and fact-checking processes, while BBC and Reuters are reputable international news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The Washington Post also provided context regarding the implications of the attack on the Christian community in Syria, further enhancing the credibility of the information presented (Washington Post).

However, some reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated varying numbers of casualties, with estimates of fatalities ranging from 19 to 25, but they did not specify the number of injuries (AP News). This discrepancy highlights the challenges in obtaining precise figures in the immediate aftermath of such incidents. Nevertheless, the consensus among the more authoritative sources supports the claim of 63 wounded individuals.

Conclusion

The claim that "over 60 people were wounded in devastating church bombing in Syria" is True. Multiple reliable sources confirm that the attack resulted in 63 injuries, alongside at least 22 to 25 fatalities. Given the corroboration from various reputable news outlets and the consistency of the reported figures, the assertion stands validated.