Jerusalem suicide bomb attack kills at least four

A number of people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a bus stop near a busy Jerusalem market today.

‘‘There are dead,’’ said police chief Mickey Levy. Police said there were at least four dead among the more than 30 people injured.

They believe the suicide bomber was at a bus stop near the fruit and vegetable market and detonated his deadly package when a bus pulled up.

The market was just about to close for the Sabbath.

Police closed off the streets and ambulances raced to the scene.

The attack came only hours after US Secretary of State Colin Powell held talks in Jerusalem with Premier Ariel Sharon but failed to get a timetable for a military withdrawal from the West Bank.

Moments after the blast, witnesses saw five bodies at the scene, covered by rescue workers with white sheets. Glass shards, twisted metal, blood and body parts were strewn across the asphalt.

More than 45 people were injured, seven of them critically,.

The blast went off shortly after 4 pm (1300 Irish time), at a time when the Mahane Yehuda market was crowded with shoppers hunting for pre-Sabbath bargains.

Police Chief Mickey Levy said the bomber failed to reach the heart of the market or get onto a bus because of tight security.

‘‘Thus he exploded himself as he was trying to get on bus,’’ Levy said, adding that several people were killed.

Mahane Yehuda has been the scene of frequent suicide bombings in the past.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

David Baker, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ariel said the blast was ‘‘another murderous attack by Palestinian terrorists against innocent Israelis at the busiest time of the week in the busiest market in Jerusalem.’’

‘‘It is clear that Arafat and the Palestinian Authority exist for one purpose, spreading terror,’’ Baker said.

Israel TV said Mr Powell was flying over Jerusalem at the time of the blast, en route to a tour of Israel’s tense border with Lebanon.