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West Bank crash: 'Eight' Palestinian children killed West Bank crash: 'Eight' Palestinian children killed
(about 1 hour later)
At least eight Palestinian children have been killed in a collision between a school bus and an Israeli truck on a road in the West Bank, police say. At least eight Palestinian children have been killed in a collision between a school bus and an Israeli lorry on a road in the West Bank.
The bus was carrying children as young as five or six on their way to Ramallah, just north of Jerusalem.The bus was carrying children as young as five or six on their way to Ramallah, just north of Jerusalem.
The vehicle overturned on impact and burst into flames. More than 30 children were injured, and there are fears the death toll may rise.The vehicle overturned on impact and burst into flames. More than 30 children were injured, and there are fears the death toll may rise.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning.
The bus is believed to have been carrying up to 50 children at the time of the crash, on a busy road junction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his sorrow and offered assistance.
The children were apparently travelling from their school in the West Bank village of Anata. 'National disaster'
The two vehicles collided head-on, reports say. Israeli and Palestinian paramedics ferried the casualties to hospitals in Ramallah and Jerusalem. The bus is believed to have been carrying up to 50 children at the time of the crash, which happened on a busy road junction.
In a broadcast, Mr Abbas described the accident as a horrific national disaster and said all flags would fly at half-mast.
"The toll so far shows that more than 10 children have died and scores of injured are receiving treatment in various medical centres in the West Bank," he said. The higher figure of the number of dead has not been confirmed.
The children were apparently travelling from their school in the West Bank village of Anata when the two vehicles collided, head-on, according to reports.
The lorry driver, an Israeli-Arab, was injured.
Shalom Galil - an Israeli paramedic at the scene - said Israeli and Palestinian emergency services had worked closely together at the scene.
"Palestinian firefighters were involved. As far as I could see, there was full co-operation between the firefighters of Judea and Samaria [West Bank] and the Palestinian firefighters."
Hospital officials in Ramallah said many of the bodies they had seen were badly burned, AFP news agency reported.Hospital officials in Ramallah said many of the bodies they had seen were badly burned, AFP news agency reported.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Jerusalem said the road conditions in the area were "pretty treacherous" following heavy rain overnight. The BBC's Jon Donnison in Jerusalem said the road conditions in the area were "pretty treacherous" following heavy rain overnight and the accident had happened during morning rush hour.
He said it was one of the most serious road accidents involving Palestinians in a long time.He said it was one of the most serious road accidents involving Palestinians in a long time.
The truck driver was also hurt in the crash although the full extent of his condition is unknown.
Our correspondent says although the truck had an Israeli licence plate, it did not necessarily mean the driver was Israeli.