DAMASCUS, Syria — Initial reports coming out of the Syrian capital indicate that at least four people have been killed and 11 others sustained severe injuries following a powerful explosion inside a crowded café near the landmark Justice Palace.

The sudden blast, which shook the highly secure and densely populated government district, has triggered an immediate mobilization of regional emergency medical services and security personnel.

The explosion occurred during peak afternoon hours at a popular café located on al-Nasser Street in the al-Marjah district, situated just tens of meters from the main entrance of the Justice Palace courthouse complex. The area is heavily frequented by lawyers, courthouse employees, and visitors waiting for judicial appointments, making the civilian casualty count particularly devastating.

According to initial reports from the scene, an explosive device detonated inside the establishment, shattering glass windows and ripping through the interior. Sirens echoed across central Damascus as multiple ambulances maneuvered through heavy traffic to evacuate the wounded to local emergency hospitals, including al-Mouwasa Hospital.

"I ran to the place and saw people lying on the floor with blood pooled around them everywhere," noted one local shopkeeper, describing the immediate aftermath of the blast.

While initial figures place the toll at four dead and 11 injured, medical personnel treating the victims have warned that several of the wounded remain in critical condition, suggesting the casualty numbers could fluctuate as emergency efforts continue.

Internal security forces and forensic teams quickly arrived to cordon off the area, temporarily blocking access to the Justice Palace to screen for any secondary hazards and begin an exhaustive investigation. Authorities are currently reviewing both private and municipal surveillance camera footage from surrounding streets to track down the movements of individuals entering and exiting the café prior to the explosion.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The prominent location of the blast—right next to the Syrian state's central judicial hub—has drawn immediate scrutiny from security analysts.

The Justice Palace and its immediate surroundings have historically been the target of high-profile insurgent operations. While security measures in the capital have shifted significantly over recent months, lingering sleeper cells and anti-government networks continue to pose a threat. This ongoing activity presents a persistent challenge to the municipal administration’s efforts to maintain absolute public safety.

Damascus Governor Maher Marwan arrived at the courthouse steps shortly after the incident, confirming that an active criminal investigation is underway and vowing that the actors behind the violence will be pursued and held accountable.