Update: At least 100 killed by chemical attack in Syrian Idlib

The chemical attack that struck Idlib, Syria yesterday is reported to have now killed at least 100 people. Reports of the use of sarin gas have now come from multiple sources. Medical responders have seen the effects of Assad attacks using the toxic chlorine gas. Sarin is one of the most dangerous nerve agents.

There are also reports of 400 injured by the sarin gas-attack. Sarin gas attacks the communication between nerves and permanently damages nerve functions. This may lead survivors to become permanently paralyzed. Victims die of asphyxia as they lose bodily control of their muscles, including the ones allowing them to breathe. Because of the air-bound and destructive nature of sarin, it is considered a WMD and outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.

The UN Security Council will now hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the dire situation and no doubt the source of this brutal attack.