Syrian government jets 'drop chlorine bombs' on crowded Aleppo neighbourhood

Syrian government aircraft have dropped suspected chlorine bombs on a crowded neighbourhood in Aleppo, injuring dozens, according to rescue workers in the contested city.

Ibrahem Alhaj, a member of the Syria Civil Defence first responders team, said he got to the scene of the suspected gas attack shortly after a helicopter dropped barrels containing what he said were four chlorine cylinders.

He said the cylinders fell in the crowded al-Sukkari neighbourhood and that at least 80 civilians were transported to hospitals and treated for breathing difficulties.

A video by the rescuers shows children crying and men coughing.

The report could not be independently verified and it was not clear how the activists determined that chlorine gas was released.