Seven civilians were killed and four others wounded on Wednesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus in western Syria, local health officials said.

The attack took place on the Masyaf Bridge in the western countryside of Homs province, according to local authorities.

A source at the Homs Health Directorate said emergency teams evacuated seven people who were killed and four wounded passengers to hospitals across the governorate following the shooting.

Maan Mahmoud Fahd, director of Homs Grand Hospital, told SANA that his facility received five victims from the attack.

Four of those brought to the hospital were pronounced dead after suffering severe gunshot wounds to the head and chest, he said.

Preliminary information indicated that the bus was carrying civilian workers and employees when it came under attack.

Syrian Internal Security Forces cordoned off the area following the shooting and launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting, and the identities or motives of the attackers were not immediately known.

Authorities said investigations were continuing as security forces worked to establish the circumstances of the attack and bring those responsible to justice. (ILKHA)