Damascus, Sep 10 (IANS): At least 31 people were killed Sunday in two separate bombings that marked an intensification of violence in the unrest-torn Syria, Xinhua reported.

The day started with an explosion in a passenger bus which was targeted with explosive devices while heading towards Damascus from Misyaf town. The blast killed at least four people, reported SANA news agency.

In a separate incident, a huge blast struck in Aleppo province late Sunday and left at least 27 people as killed. The incident added to the agony of already-suffering local people.

The blast rocked the Malaab al-Baladi area in Aleppo, an area grouping three hospitals and a school sheltering displaced people.

According to the state media, people were still buried under the piles of rubble and debris, adding that firefighters and other workers are franticly looking for survivors under the rubbles while also digging out the dead.

Aleppo has emerged as a stage for pitch battles between the government troops and the armed rebels, who have pledged to keep fighting in Aleppo to subdue it under their control.

Activists said as many as 20,000 people have so far been killed since the crisis in Syria began last year amid reports that a total of 8,000 army and security personnel have so far been killed.