LEBANON: Three dead and at least 20 wounded in Lebanon bus bombings.

Record ID: 356092

  • Title: LEBANON: Three dead and at least 20 wounded in Lebanon bus bombings.
  • Date: 13th February 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DOCTOR AT SIRHAL HOSPITAL, SAYING: "We at Sirhal Hospital have received one of the dead and we are treating several wounded, mostly for broken bones."
  • Embargoed: 28th February 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVAETE9JDO1I1UMFE4AFS4TDA0UI
  • Story Text: Bombs exploded on two buses in a Christian area of Lebanon, killing at least three people and wounding 20 on the eve of the second anniversary of the killing of ex-Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

    Two buses were blown apart just north of Beirut on Tuesday (February 13) leaving at least three dead and 20 wounded.
    The blasts wrecked the buses and other vehicles on a mountain road about 24 km (15 miles) northeast of Beirut. Pools of blood lay near a minibus with its roof torn off.
    Some passengers were blown apart and body parts were strewn near the buses, which were about 50 metres (yards) apart. When the first bomb exploded, the driver of the second bus stopped and got out. His own bus then exploded.
    The driver of the first bus was killed. The driver of the second was wounded.
    Relatives waited at area hospitals for news of loved ones.
    "We at Sirhal Hospital have received one of the dead and we are treating several wounded mostly for broken bones," said one doctor.
    A police spokesman said the report of three deaths was preliminary and the toll could rise. It was not known why that area was targeted and no group claimed responsibility.
    Tension has been running high in Lebanon since street clashes last month between supporters and opponents of the Western-backed government in which nine people were killed.
    "Before they used to bomb shops, now they are attacking people on buses going to the work, this is a criminal act. There has to be an end to this whoever is behind it," said Michael El Murr, a Lebanese MP.
    The attacks were the first since the assassination of former president Amin Gemayel, the industry minister in Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government.
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