DHAKA: Almost 50 people have been killed by Syrian government air strikes in an opposition-held town.

Activists say, reports the BBC.

Six children were among those who died as Talbiseh, in Homs province, was bombarded for two days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

A dozen rebel fighters were also killed, the UK-based group added.

Meanwhile, at least 34 children have died in another opposition-held area of Syria, reportedly after being given contaminated measles vaccinations.

The main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, has launched an investigation and halted the vaccination programme it was organising in the northern province of Idlib.

The air strikes of Talbiseh reportedly began on Monday and continued into Tuesday. State media said the army had targeted a meeting of ‘terrorists’.

The death toll from the bombardment was expected to rise because bodies were still being pulled out of the rubble and dozens of people, including children, were critically injured, the Observatory said.

BDST: 1636 HRS, SEP 17, 2014