2 killed, 18 wounded in Manila bus bombing

MANILA, Philippines – Manila officials say that at least 2 people were killed and 18 others wounded in a powerful explosion that ripped through a passenger bus in the Philippine capital on Tuesday.

MANILA, Philippines – Manila officials say that at least 2 people were killed and 18 others wounded in a powerful explosion that ripped through a passenger bus in the Philippine capital on Tuesday.

Mayor Junjun Binay said that the explosion was so powerful that it punched a hole in a nearby concrete fence along metropolitan Manila’s main highway in suburban Makati city. He said the damage indicated that it was caused by a bomb.

The Associated Press reports that bus was approaching a commuter railway station when the blast occurred inside the vehicle, taking out half of its front windshield, punching holes in windows and immediately killing a female passenger near the center of the explosion.

He said one hospital reported two people dead and 18 wounded.

Metro Manila police chief Nicanor Bartolome said “an explosive” must have been placed under a passenger seat somewhere in the middle of the bus where it caused a “big hole” in the vehicle large enough for a man to pass through.

Bomb investigators were examining the debris to determine the type of explosives used, he said.

Binay said he was one of the first at the scene, describing the carnage to reporters.

“There were bones and flesh on the pavement. A bloodied body was still there. This is an act of terrorism,” he said.

According to AP, it wasn’t immediately clear how many people were on the bus, but some were unharmed. Officials temporarily blocked traffic on the highway, causing a massive gridlock on Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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