Driver working with NBC News killed in Syria

U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters fly their flag from a rooftop overlooking Baghouz, Syria, after the SDF declared the area free of Islamic State militants after months of fighting on Saturday, March 23, 2019. The elimination of the last Islamic State stronghold in Baghouz brings to a close a grueling final battle that stretched across several weeks and saw thousands of people flee the territory and surrender in desperation, and hundreds killed. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

BAGHOUZ, Syria – The president of NBC News says a driver working with its reporters in Syria was killed by an explosive device.

Noah Oppenheim said in a statement Sunday that NBC employees escaped unharmed, and expressed "deepest sympathies" to the driver's family and loved ones. Oppenheim says "we are still gathering information from today's events, and are in touch with the driver's family to support them however we can." The statement did not say where Saturday's explosion occurred.

Several media outlets are in eastern Syria to cover the liberation of the last sliver of land held by the Islamic State group. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces declared military victory over IS on Saturday.

IS left behind booby-traps and explosive devices, and there may be unexploded munitions in the area following U.S.-led airstrikes.