Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jerusalem explosion: Israeli rescue services report 21 casualties after blast on bus

Police commissioner says there is 'no doubt' it was a terror attack

Samuel Osborne,Caroline Mortimer
Monday 18 April 2016 16:00 BST
Images on social media showed smoke billowing from the burned-out bus
Images on social media showed smoke billowing from the burned-out bus (Micky Rosenfeld/Twitter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

At least 21 people have been injured after a bomb exploded on a bus in Jerusalem.

"There is no doubt that this was a terror attack," Jerusalem police commissioner Yoram Halevy said.

He added that it was too early to know who was responsible or whether it was a suicide attack.

"We are investigating where the explosive device came from, who planted it, how it got on the bus. All this is in the initial stages of investigation," he said.

Emergency workers search the scene after a blast on a bus in Jerusalem
Emergency workers search the scene after a blast on a bus in Jerusalem (Reuters)

Local media reported that one man who was injured was under investigation. It is thought he was not carrying any identification papers.

Images on social media showed smoke billowing from the burnt out bus on Hebron Road, in the south-west of the city.

Israeli security officials search the remains of a burnt out bus following an explosion in Jerusalem
Israeli security officials search the remains of a burnt out bus following an explosion in Jerusalem (AP)

The Magen David Adom rescue service said 21 people had been wounded, including two seriously.

Attacks on Israeli buses by suicide bombers were a hallmark of the Palestinian uprising in 2000-2005 but have been rare since.

Tensions have been brewing over a series of skirmishes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

Around 189 Palestinians, 28 Israelis and two American citizens have been killed since the latest wave of violence broke out in October.

Additional reporting by agencies

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in