CRI听力: Bus Station Bombing Kills 1 Wounds Dozens in Jerusalem

A bomb explosion at the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem Wednesday afternoon has left one person dead and dozens of others injured.

As our Jerusalem correspondent Xiaoyu reports, police are working under the assumption it was a terrorist attack, and are now on the hunt for suspects.

When people nearby heard the explosion at about 3pm, it didn't take long for them to realize the situation, given that it's Jerusalem.

"The first time we heard it, we know it. We know the sound. We had the experience."

The local cellphone network became somewhat paralyzed for a time, as people checked in with friends and family.

"I usually go to work from here at that time. But thank Lord. I wanna take this bus but I was taking to my friends and I lost the bus. I was so shocked and the first thing I did was, call my mom and told her I'm fine."

The location where the blast occured, outside the central bus station, is the busiest transportation terminal in Jerusalem. Police say at this point, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

One clue they're working with is the discovery of a suspicious package found beside a telephone pole in the area.

Micky Rosenfeld is the police spokesperson from Jerusalem Municipality.

"A loud explosion was heard, there are more than 24 people that were injured. Immediately our units arrived at the scene and what we know until now, about 1 hour after the initial explosion, we are talking about the terror attack, I'm also talking about a bag that was left at the bus stop which exploded and caused all the injuries."

While nerves were rattled, many overcame their fear and rushed to the scene following the explosion.

"We need to live. This is our city and we want to live here. If you got to freak out, you don't live."

The lone fatality is a 59 year old woman.

At least two-dozen others have been hurt in the blast.

Two hours after the explosion, the entire area had been cleaned up, leaving only angry demonstrators demanding "death of the terrorists."

"It seems calm because, I hate to say that, but everybody got used to the situation."

It has been 7 years since the last bus attack in Jerusalem.

Two weeks ago, five settlers in the northern settlement of Itamar were killed in their home.

Israeli police say they believe that was a terrorist attack as well, but can't draw any connections between the two incidents.

Different from previous "suicide bombings", the explosive device this time was put there beforehand.

Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat is now warning people in the city to be aware that this could happen again, and at any time.

For CRI news, this is Xiaoyu from Jerusalem.