UK Calls For Urgent Investigation Into Gas Attack In Syria

At least 40 people have been killed in a gas attack in Syria, according to activists, rescuers and medics.

The UK is calling for an urgent investigation into the incident.

The Foreign Office has said if these reports are correct it would be further proof of "brutality against innocent civilians" by Bashar Assad and that the international community must respond.

The Foreign Office also commented that the use of chemical weapons would be an indication that Assad's international backers - including Russia - had shown a "callous disregard for international norms", which does not help rising tensions between Moscow and the West.

The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred on Saturday night amid a resumed offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that in total 80 people were killed and 40 of those killed, died from suffocation.

Opposition-linked first responders, known as the White Helmets, also reported a death toll from suffocation of more than 40.

The Syrian American Medical Society, a relief organisation, said 41 were killed and hundreds wounded.

A Foreign Office spokesman 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.

"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."