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West Bank crash: 'Eight' Palestinian children killed West Bank crash: 'Eight' Palestinian children killed
(40 minutes later)
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.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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his sorrow and offered assistance.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his sorrow and offered assistance.
'National disaster''National disaster'
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.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.
At least one report said teachers had also suffered injuries. At least one report said a teacher had also been killed.
In a broadcast, Mr Abbas described the accident as a horrific national disaster and said all flags would fly at half-mast.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 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 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.The lorry driver, an Israeli-Arab, was injured.
Hospital officials in Ramallah said many of the bodies they had seen were badly burned, AFP news agency reported. Dr Ahmad Bitawi, director of Ramallah Hospital, said five children and a teacher had been pronounced dead at the hospital, while a further 54 people injured in the crash were treated there, Reuters news agency reported.
Dr Ahmad Bitawi, the director of Ramallah Hospital said five children and a teacher had been prounounced dead at his hospital while a further 54 injured people were treated there, the Reuters news agency reported. Some of the survivors were also taken to Jerusalem's Hadassah University Hospital.
"It is an ugly, unbelievable, terrible accident; it shakes the feelings of the whole world because it includes babies," Adham Al-Hindin, uncle of two injured children, told Reuters.
Treacherous conditions
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.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.
Shalom Galil - an Israeli paramedic at the scene - also said the adverse weather conditions appeared to have been a factor.Shalom Galil - an Israeli paramedic at the scene - also said the adverse weather conditions appeared to have been a factor.
He said: "What happened here, as you can see in the pictures, is a very steep road with rain and oil. We assume that either the bus or the truck slipped and crashed into each other." He said the steep road where the crash happened had been affected by oil. "We assume that either the bus or the truck slipped and crashed into each other."
He also said Israeli and Palestinian emergency services had worked closely together at the scene. Mr Galil 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.""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."