Syria victims show signs of exposure to 'nerve agents': WHO

Attack in Idlib province had killed 72 civilians, appeared to have involved chemical weapons

Some victims of a suspected chemical attack in Syria have symptoms consistent with exposure to a category of chemicals that includes nerve agents, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday.

The UN health agency said the attack in Idlib province on Tuesday, which killed at least 72 civilians, appeared to have involved chemical weapons, pointing to the "apparent lack of external injuries reported in cases showing a rapid onset of similar symptoms, including acute respiratory distress as the main cause of death."

"Some cases appear to show additional signs consistent with exposure to organophosphorus chemicals, a category of chemicals that includes nerve agents," it said.