By Aryeh Savir
BAT YAM, Israel — A terrorist attack was thwarted Sunday after a passenger found a suspicious package and alerted his bus driver.
The driver of line no. 240, Michael Yuger, was told about a large black knapsack in the back of the bus. He immediately had all 15 passengers get off and alerted the security forces.
As the police were tending to the scene the bomb went off in a massive blast. A police officer incurred light injuries and was taken to a hospital.
The bus driver claims he is not a hero: “One passenger saw wires and a big pot after he opened the bag to check it. We all got off. About ten minutes after discovering the knapsack the bomb went off.”
Minister on Internal Security, Yitzchak Aharonowitz spoke to the Dan bus company director and commended the driver for his cool and decisive actions which saved many lives. He further stated that: “At this point we understand that this is an attack with national motivations. I call on the public to stay vigilant and report any outstanding incidents.” He later held an assessment session with the police’s top brass, and it was decide to step up the police’s presence at main centers.
Chief of Police, Yochanan Danino, stated that: “the terror threat is constantly looming, and especially during these days when there is an attempt to make progress in the peace talks.”
The last attack occurred during Operation Pillar of Defense, when a no. 142 bus in Tel Aviv blew up. 29 people were wounded, one of them critically.
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Preceding provided by Tazpit News Agency