At least three dead in Tel Aviv bus blast

Israeli police say at least three people were killed in a bus blast in the heart of Tel Aviv today.

Israeli TV has put the death toll at five so far. More than 40 were injured – five critically.

A suicide bomber is believed to have detonated his deadly package as the bus drove along Allenby Street – a shopping and restaurant district – just after 1pm (11am Irish time).

Paramedics feared there were many dead.

The blast came a day after an Islamic militant blew himself up at a bus stop in northern Israel, killing himself and an Israeli policeman.