Syria’s health ministry said on Friday that the death toll from an explosion at a mosque in the central city of Homs had risen to eight, with 18 people wounded.

The blast hit the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighbourhood. Syria’s interior ministry had earlier reported a preliminary toll of six killed and 21 injured, describing the incident as a “terrorist” attack.

The health ministry said the updated figures came after victims were transferred to hospitals and emergency teams completed rescue and medical operations. It did not provide further details on the nature of the injuries or who was responsible for the attack.

Security forces have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion.