At least 4 people killed and 14 injured after bus bomb in Philippines

At least 4 people killed and 14 injured after bus bomb in Philippines

2011-01-25 23:01:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- At least 4 people on Tuesday were killed and 14 others injured following a bomb which exploded inside a bus in the Metro manila area, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported.

The blast took place at about 1:55 p.m. local time inside a passenger bus which was traveling along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Makati City. The bus was approaching loading bay and MRT Buendia railway station on Edsa's northbound lane.

The driver of the Newman Gold Liner bus survived the attack and told authorities that two suspicious men boarded the bus at the Baclaran station and apparently left an improvised explosive device (IED) near a passenger seat located in the middle of the bus.

According to Metro Manila police chief Nicanor Bartolome, the bomb was planted in the sixth row of the passenger bus. The blast left a hole in the center right side of the bus as well as in part of the pavement.

Two people died at the scene and two more died shortly after at a nearby hospital. The other injured people were transported to St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Makati Hospital.

Initially, authorities believed that the loud blast was caused by a mechanical or electrical failure. However, after examining the damage caused a bomb squad unit was deployed to the area and were examining the debris to determine the type of explosives used.

Minutes after the deadly blast, Vice President Jejomar Binay reached the site in order to asses the damage caused and the progress of rescue efforts. He also checked on the condition of the injured civilians.

President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered the launch of a thorough investigation on the bomb blast and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. Investigators have already been deployed to the crime scene.

Security measures were intensified in the Metro Manila area in order to prevent another explosion. Bartolome said that the area is under full alert status which means that no policeman assigned to Metro Manila will be allowed to go on leave in the meantime.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-25