Seven people were reportedly killed and some 30 others were injured in a terror attack on a bus carrying Israelis in Burgas in Burlgaria.
Reports say that the explosion took place while the bus was still in the terminal of Sarafovo Airport.
Police were reportedly investigating two possible causes of the blast. Two causes that were cited are an explosive device was put in the bus before the tourists boarded or that the explosives were in the tourists’ luggage.
At DC today, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States is deeply saddened and angered to learn of today’s terrorist attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms this heinous terrorist attack against innocent civilians.” -Ms. Nuland
According to Ms. Nuland, the US government offer its deepest condolences to the victims and their loved ones.
She says the United States stands ready to offer any assistance necessary, and it will work with its partners in Bulgaria, Israel and elsewhere so that the perpetrators can be apprehended swiftly and brought to justice for this appalling crime.
In addition, Britain also echoed the U.S. condemnation of the attack, with British Foreign Secretary William Hague offering condolences to the victims’ families.
Reports say Israel announced it was dispatching a military medical and relief team to Bulgaria, a country of 7.3 million bordering Greece and Turkey.
There are some 5,000 Jews in Bulgaria and most live in the capital.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov also called Netanyahu late Wednesday to offer his condolences.
Reports say Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Iran of planning the attack in Bulgaria, which comes on the 18th anniversary of the terror bombing in Buenos Aires that destroyed the AMIA Jewish community center, killing 85.
Iran and its terror proxy Hezbollah have been charged with carrying out the AMIA attack. In recent months, they have had foiled attempts to strike at Israeli targets in Azerbaijan, Georgia and elsewhere, while in India an Israeli embassy car was bombed.
