From airstrike to aftermath: How a chemical attack in Syria unfolded

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Posted: Apr 5, 2017 7:53 PM EDT | Updated: Apr 5, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Sarah Tilotta CNN

Nightmarish accounts continue to filter out of Khan Sheikhoun, the northern Syrian town still reeling from what is feared to be the deadliest chemical attack in the country in years.

Investigations are underway to determine who was responsible for the Tuesday morning attack that left at least 70 dead, according to activists.

This is how it unfolded, based on eyewitness accounts provided to CNN.

6:30 a.m.: Airstrike hits town center, chemical agent suspected

An airstrike hit the town center of Khan Sheikhoun, emitting a "poisonous gas," Anas al-Diab, an activist with the Aleppo Media Center (AMC) says.

Casualties are reported to have died from asphyxiation caused by exposure to an unknown gas or chemical agent. The injured are initially treated at a makeshift clinic near the scene and Al-Rahma hospital, among others.

Three more strikes reported

Five minutes later, three additional strikes reportedly hit the town center, al-Diab says. This time there are no descriptions of gas.

At this point it is unclear if the planes involved are Syrian, but the rebel-held city is regularly targeted from the air by the Syrian military and its ally, Russia.

Russia later denies having warplanes in the vicinity.

Casualties arrive at hospital

Fares al-Jundi, a doctor who lives in a nearby village, hurries to the Maarat al-Numan hospital immediately after the airstrikes. "I've never seen anything like it, beyond description," he tells CNN as he describes the horrifying scenes.

Al-Jundi estimates up to 500 people have been brought in; the wounded cover entire floors, from the patients' rooms and operating theaters and any remaining space in the corridors.

"I believe this horrible memory will stay with me for the rest of my life," he continues.

Chaos on the ground

Hadi al Abdullah, an activist journalist, arrives on scene two hours after the initial attack.

Abdullah, who is suffering from blurred vision, a splitting headache and lethargy -- common side-effects of exposure to nerve gas -- says the scene is chaotic.

He tells CNN that that people were not initially aware of the presence of a toxic agent. Some who rushed to help are overwhelmed by the gas, including several members of the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), or White Helmets, who have to be rescued by others from the group.

Abdullah says around 30 wounded people have gone to Turkey for treatment.

Hospitals targeted in follow-up airstrikes, activists say

The makeshift clinic and Al-Rahma hospital, where the injured are being triaged, are targeted in new airstrikes four hours after the chemical attack, Idlib's health directorate and the SCD say in a joint press release.

Videos emerge on social media

Videos, which appear to be from the scene, are posted quickly to social media platforms.

Mohammed Hardan, who works for AMC, says he was at al-Rahma hospital when it was targeted by aerial bombardment, posting footage of the incident hours later.

White Helmets: Residents targeted by poison gas

The White Helmets say at least 50 people, including women and children, have been killed by "poisonous gases."

70 dead, activists say

AMC activists say the Syrian regime is behind the attack and says at least 70 people are dead. It adds that 45 bodies have been identified so far.

Syrian army denies chemical attack

On Monday evening, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's military "categorically denies" using chemical weapons and blames "terrorist" groups for the carnage.

Many in the international community blame the Assad regime for the outrage, and the World Health Organization said victims bore the signs of exposure to nerve agents.

CNN's Kareem Khadder, Schams Elwazer, Elizabeth Roberts, Eyad Kourdi,Tamara Qiblawi, Angela Dewan, Eliza Mackintosh and Euan McKirdy contributed to this report.