Jerusalem bus blast caused by bomb: Israeli police

An explosion on a Jerusalem bus that sparked a fire on Monday and wounded 16 people was caused by a bomb, Israeli police said.

"A professional examination by police sappers has proved that a bomb exploded on the back part of the bus, resulting in the wounding of passengers and the burning of the bus," said a police statement. "In addition, another bus and car were damaged."

According to the Reuters news agency, the blast happened on Monday on Hebron Road, Derech Hebron, in southwest Jerusalem.

The bus, which was travelling from southern Jerusalem before the blast near Hebron Road, appeared to have been empty at the time, the police said, with the wounded apparently on another bus situated next to it.

"There was apparently an explosion and the bus started burning. Another bus nearby and a private car were also hit," police said.

Earlier on Monday, local residents who arrived at the scene soon after the blast told Middle East Eye they believed the blast was likely caused by a mechanical failure.

At least two people, among bystanders who were injured, were seriously wounded. Most of those injured were said to have burn wounds and smoke inhalation. 

Photographs published by Micky Rosenfeld, an Israeli police spokesman, earlier at the scene showed a huge fire. 

Soon after the blast, an AFP journalist said one bus was completely burnt out while another was partially burnt, with a large contingent of firefighters battling to extinguish the blaze.

The incident comes amid high tensions, following a wave of violence that began last October which has claimed the lives of 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis.

A bus bombing would mark a significant escalation in the violence that has declined steadily in recent weeks.