An explosion occurred in the morning hours in the city of Idlib in Syria's Jisr al Shughour.

At least 12 people were killed Wednesday in an explosion in the center of Jisr al Shughour, in northwestern Syria, a day after heavy Russian airstrikes, rescue workers and residents said.

Several buildings collapsed as a result of the blast which shook the city in Idlib province, near a road between the coastal city of Latakia and city of Aleppo.

The city has been a target of bombardment by the Russian air force and the Syrian army in recent weeks.

Most of its inhabitants have fled to the safety of areas close to the Turkish border, residents and local officials say.

ILKHA