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International unions have joined calls for a complete and thorough investigation into the apparent use of chemical weapons during an attack in Syria last week.



Hospitals in the Damascus area say around 3,600 people were treated for neurotoxic symptoms and 355 of them died following fighting in the Ghouta belt surrounding the capital.



U.N. experts say they attempted to travel to the area on Monday to carry out an investigation but were forced to turn back after unidentified snipers opened fire on the convoy. A cease-fire had been agreed in the area prior to the cars setting out.



UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings said: “What we appear to have seen is the worst use of chemical weapons in this conflict, and holding back any investigation is almost as cowardly as the act itself.



“We call on all parties to allow the U.N. to establish in full safety exactly how and why these terrible weapons were used and, most importantly, who used them."



Syria is one of only seven countries to have refused to sign the U.N. Chemical Weapons Convention. The U.N. said it would continue with the inquiry as soon as it had replaced a vehicle damaged in the sniper fire.



ITUC General Secretary Sharon Burrow said: “The international community must step up the quest for a political settlement to end the violence in Syria, and has to act urgently to stop any further use of these appalling weapons. The people responsible for these chemical attacks must be brought to justice.”