A series of explosions struck the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Tuesday near the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his landmark official visit to Syria.

According to Syria's Interior Ministry, the blasts injured at least 18 people. Police said explosive devices had been hidden inside a parked vehicle and a garbage bin on a busy street near the hotel, close to the National Museum.

President Macron was not at the hotel when the explosions occurred. He was meeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. Syrian authorities confirmed that both leaders were unharmed.

The visit marks a significant diplomatic milestone, with Macron becoming the first Western European head of government to visit Syria since President Ahmad al-Sharaa assumed office following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. It is also the first visit by a Western leader to Damascus under the country's new leadership.

The explosions come only days after another bombing in the Syrian capital, in which 10 people were killed after an explosive device detonated inside a café near the Ministry of Justice.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for either attack.