The conflict in Syria's northern city of Aleppo is escalating. In the past 24 hours, over 60 people have been killed in a wave of shelling and airstrikes by government troops and rebels.

Opposition activists and rescue volunteers said a series of airstrikes hit a key hospital and nearby buildings in rebel-held areas on Wednesday night, killing at least 27, including doctors and children.

Aleppo was Syria's largest city prior to the civil war, 350 kilometers to the north of the capital Damascus. Control of the city is divided between government troops and rebel groups. Both sides have failed to obey the ceasefire, despite the ongoing peace talks in Geneva.

Hospitals are no sanctuary in this brutal civil war. And what unfolded in Aleppo overnight Wednesday saw many casualties and destruction.

Volunteers and civil defense officials scrambled in the darkness to locate the wounded at the Quds hospital and get them out of the area- many did not make it.

At least 60 people dead including hospital workers and several children-that number expected to rise as they sift through the rubble. Among the dead, one of the last known children's doctors known to be working in Syria's once most populous city.

Gov't denies raid on Aleppo hospital

Syrian state television quoted military sources as denying accusations that Syrian government forces carried out the raid. In recent days, Damascus and its Russian allies have been stepping up attacks on what they call terrorist-held areas.

For its part, Russia released a statement saying its aircraft were not involved. The hospital was partially operated by the international medical charity, Doctors Without Borders.

MSF categorically condemns this outrageous targeting of yet another medical facility in Syria. This devastating attack has destroyed a vital hospital in Aleppo, and the main referral center for pediatric care in the area, Where is the outrage among those with the power and obligation to stop this carnage

Government-held areas of the city have also been hit by rebel shelling, resulting in many additional casualties. In all more than 100 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in recent fighting according to several sources.

The renewed hostilities come as we've seen the breakdown of a truce agreement which was at least somewhat observed while peace talks over Syria continued in Geneva.

It seems things are unravelling on the ground but also at the talks

Fighting almost derails peace talks

The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says there has been no breakthrough in this round- in fact the opposite -that they are near collapse and made an appeal to the US and Russia to intervene at the highest level to try and stop the fighting and help chart a course for a political settlement.

He said, "what we need to do and to hear is that the cessation of hostilities is salvaged and that the cessation of hostilities is saved from a total collapse"

But the UN says there is no definitive date set for more talks, though de Mistura says he hopes they'll resume in May. And with the situation deteriorating on the ground, all sides are likely bracing for a new cycle of violence.