Syria: Suspected ISIS landmine blast kills sixteen truffle hunters

At least 16 people, including nine women, have been killed in northern Syria while hunting for truffles, according to a UK-based monitor.

The civilians were killed when their vehicle hit a mine in a former stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group in the desert in Raqqa province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.

Sand truffles are sold for high prices in Syria, which has been in the midst of an economic crisis after almost 13 years of war. IS militants often attack residents who go looking for truffles in isolated areas, according to SOHR.