Donald Trump declares 'big price to pay' after suspected chemical attack kills dozens in rebel-held Douma in Syria
- Video report by ITV News Reporter Charlotte Cross
US President Donald Trump has warned Russia, Iran and Syria there is a "big price to pay" after an alleged chemical attack that is reported to have killed dozens and poisoned hundreds.
The UK government has called for an urgent investigation into the claimed use of poisoned gas on civilians in the Syrian rebel-held town of Douma.
The scale of the deaths reported by activists, rescuers and medics in the country, which is yet to be independently verified, ranges from at least 40 people to up to 80.
Medical workers have said woman and children were the main victims among more than 500 cases with symptoms that indicated "exposure to a chemical agent".
Mr Trump described the suspected poisoning as "SICK" in a series of tweets as he declared it a "mindless CHEMICAL attack".
Mr Trump also criticised his predecessor in the White House for failing to commit to action against Syrian President Bashar al Assad after a pledged red line was crossed.
The alleged use of poison came as Syrian government forces resumed an offensive in the town close to the capital Damascus after a truce collapsed.
First responders said they found families suffocated in their homes and shelters, with foam on their mouths.
Verified footage of children and adults being hosed down with water and using breathing apparatus has been released by aid groups and rescuers.
The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) said: "Patients have shown signs of respiratory distress, central cyanosis, excessive oral foaming, corneal burns, and the emission of chlorine-like odor."
"During clinical examination, medical staff observed bradycardia, wheezing and coarse bronchial sounds. One of the injured was declared dead on arrival.
"Other patients were treated with humidified oxygen and bronchodilators, after which their condition improved. In several cases involving more severe exposure to the chemical agents, medical staff put patients on a ventilator, including four children."
The Syrian government issued a firm denial, describing the claims of poison as "fabrications".
"The army, which is advancing rapidly and with determination, does not need to use any kind of chemical agents," the statement, issued via the state-run SANA news agency, said.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson condemned the reported chemical attack and directed attention to Russia's role as an ally of President Assad.
Grim reports of large scale chemical weapons attack vs innocent civilians in Syria. If confirmed Syrian regime responsible, more evidence of Asad's brutality and disregard for Syrian people. Russia must not yet again try to block investigation into CW use bit.ly/2JrYiDu
A Foreign Office spokesman earlier said: "These are very concerning reports of a chemical weapons attack with significant number of casualties, which if correct, are further proof of Assad's brutality against innocent civilians and his backers' callous disregard for international norms," a Foreign Office spokesman said.
"An urgent investigation is needed and the international community must respond.
"We call on the Assad regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, to stop the violence against innocent civilians."
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 80 people were killed in Douma, including around 40 who died from suffocation.
Opposition-linked first responders, known as the White Helmets, also reported the attack, saying entire families were found suffocated in their houses and shelters. It reported a death toll from suffocation of more than 40.
The Syrian American Medical Society, a relief organisation, says 41 people were killed and hundreds wounded.
Government forces resumed their offensive on rebel-held Douma on Friday afternoon after a 10-day truce collapsed over disagreement regarding the evacuation of opposition fighters.
Violence returned days after hundreds of opposition fighters and their relatives left Douma towards rebel-held areas in northern Syria. Douma is the last rebel stronghold in eastern Ghouta.
The alleged gas attack in Douma comes almost exactly a year after a chemical attack in the northern Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun killed dozens of people.
That attack prompted US President Donald Trump to order a missile attack on a Syrian air base. The Syrian government and its ally, Russia, denied any involvement in the alleged gas attack.
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