Скачать или смотреть ISRAEL: JERUSALEM: BOMB BLAST WRECKS BUS SHELTER (2)

(24 Sep 1998) English/Nat

Police and security officials in Israel are conducting searches in Jerusalem following an explosion at a busy suburban bus stop.

The blast happened during rush hour on Thursday morning, wrecking the station's shelter and injuring an Israeli soldier.

The explosive device weighed about one kilogramme (two pounds) and was possibly triggered by a timer.

The device went off at around 0800 local time (0600 GMT).

The full force of the blast hit a bus stop and nearby vehicles - a twisted mount of metal was all that was left of the target.

Police and security forces used sniffer dogs to conduct a search of the area near the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The area is located adjacent to the West Bank.

The officers were backed in their search by helicopters.

The bomb squad also combed the scene for other bombs.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We're talking about a bomb, about one kilogramme of explosives, in the bus station. One soldier injured slightly and he's in hospital now, and we're investigating the event right now by our people."
SUPER CAPTION: Yair Yitzhaki, Jerusalem police chief

One Israeli soldier was injured in the blast - he was taken to the nearby Hadassah hospital.

SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew)
"I was alone and then I heard a boom. I left the bus stop quickly, lay down on the earth and then people came to help me."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, wounded soldier

Israel has been on high alert for the past two weeks following renewed threats by the Islamic militant group Hamas to carry out attacks in Israel.

Hamas wants to avenge the September 11 killing of the group's two top fugitives by
Israeli troops.

Although not a trademark Hamas bombing, on a crowded Israeli bus or in a busy market place, authorities are concerned.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This soldier had good luck and he was lucky, but the terror continues and this message is, should be, well known to the entire world."
SUPER CAPTION: Yehoshua Matza, Israeli minister of health

Thursday's bomb was relatively small and the target was located in an outlying neighbourhood of Jerusalem.

Officials say a white car with Palestinian license plates was seen leaving the scene and was stopped at a nearby Israeli army roadblock.

The Palestinian driver of the car has been detained by Israeli authorities for questioning.

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