DAMASCUS, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed Wednesday when an explosive device went off at a crowded area in the heart of the Syrian capital of Damascus, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

The device exploded at the time-honored al-Hijas Square in downtown Damascus Wednesday, the report said, spelling no further details.

Explosive devices explosions and mortar attacks have become daily occurrences in Damascus. The Syrian authorities blame the rebels in the countryside of the capital of being behind such indiscriminate attacks.

In a separate attack Wednesday, SANA said four elementary school children were injured by the shrapnel of a mortar attack launched by "terrorists" against a school in the al-Zahara'a district in Damascus. It said the attack left also property losses.