Horrifying images reveal suffering of Syrian chemical attack victims

Shocking images have emerged of the suspected chemical attack on a rebel-controlled city in Syria that left at least 58 people dead, including multiple children.

World leaders have condemned the Syrian Government over the attack early today in the town of Khan Sheikhun in the country's north west.

Video taken by local activists reveal in graphic detail the suffering of casualties, with children and adults shown writhing in pain and their mouths frothing as White Helmets relief workers and other volunteers hose them with water.

Survivors were then stripped of their contaminated clothing and laid in the back of vans.

Other disturbing footage shows doctors in a makeshift hospital treating victims. Casualties with oxygen masks on their mouths are shown jerking in pain and terror as medics treat them.

Confusion still remains about the final death toll. The Aleppo Media Centre claimed 70 had died while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was 58.

But other groups estimated up to 100 had been killed.

Witnesses said the attacks were carried out by Sukhoi jets flown by Russian and Syrian government pilots.

But Syrian military chiefs and Russia's defence ministry have denied responsibility.

One unnamed doctor in a local hospital told CNN the casualties displayed symptoms that appeared to match inhaling the chemical sarin but tests were needed to confirm it.

Britain, France and the US today presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council condemning the suspected chemical attack and demanding a full investigation.

The text, obtained by AFP, called on the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to report quickly on the findings of its fact-finding mission on the attack.

The document was circulated to the 15 United Nations Security Council members before tomorrow's emergency meeting.