12 killed in Israel bus blasts

Last updated at 15:59 31 August 2004


Explosions have ripped through two commuter buses in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens, Israeli television said.

Israeli Army Radio said two Palestinian suicide bombers carried out the attacks.

A third blast rocked the southern Israeli city, minutes after the bombs exploded on two buses, reports said.

The report said the third explosion apparently occurred near the city's main indoor shopping centre. Rescue officials said at least 15 people were wounded in the bus blasts.

Both blasts occurred almost simultaneously in the city's main street. Israel Radio said one bus was in flames, while windows were blown out of the second vehicle.

Earlier today, the Israeli army caught a Palestinian man strapped with explosives as he tried to cross into Israel from the Gaza Strip.

The lull in attacks inside Israel since March has been one of the longest since the start of the uprising.

Suicide bombers last struck in Israel on March 14, killing 10 people at the southern port of Ashdod.

Palestinian suicide bombers have killed more than 400 people since the start of an uprising nearly four years ago.

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