Bomb wounds several on Jerusalem bus

Israeli police were initially unsure about the cause of the explosion, but according to the Reuters news agency managed to establish that it was caused by a bomb. Foreign press spokesman for the Israel Police, Chief Inspector Micky Rosenfeld, confirmed that the incident was caused by a bomb.

"A professional examination of police sappers has proven that a bomb exploded on the back part of the bus, resulting in the wounding of passengers and the burning of the bus. In addition, another bus and car were damaged." a police statement said.

A rescue service worker said that at least 15 people had been wounded in the attack , including two with serious injuries. The Reuters news agency reported there were around 20 "casualties," adding that it was unclear whether there were any deaths among them.

Germany's DPA news agency reported that the bus that was hit by the explosion was largely empty, but a nearby bus caught fire, causing the majority of the injuries.

The bus reportedly went up in flames and was destroyed after the initial explosion. Television images showed smoke rising from a burned-out bus on Derech Hebron, in southwest Jerusalem, an area that is close to the West Bank.

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

More to follow

ss/msh (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)