India, Dec. 26 -- At least eight people died and eighteen others were injured after a blast happened at a mosque in Syria's Homs city on Friday, reported state media. The blast reportedly happened at a mosque in a predominantly Alawite area, which is a minority community.

The explosion happened at Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab district of Homs, according to state news agency SANA, adding that victims were taken to a hospital after the blast.

Calling the tragedy a "terrorist explosion", Syria's interior ministry said that it the mosque was made a target during Friday prayers, reported news agency AFP.

Following the blast, the mosque was cordoned off as security units reached the spot, said the local media. A probe h...