MSF-backed hospitals treated Syria 'chemical victims'

Medecins Sans Frontieres says hospitals it supports in Syria treated about 3,600 patients with "neurotoxic symptoms", of whom 355 have died.

It said the patients had arrived in three hospitals in the Damascus governorate on 21 August - when opposition activists say chemical attacks were launched against rebels.

It appears to provide more evidence of chemical weapons use.

Western countries have accused the government. Damascus accuses rebels.

MSF says staff at the hospitals described a large number of patients arriving with symptoms including convulsions, extreme salivation, contracted pupils and sight and respiratory problems.

The charity said many were treated with atropine, a drug administered to those with "neurotoxic symptoms".

MSF says that while it cannot scientifically confirm the cause of the symptoms, they "strongly suggest" the use of a nerve agent.