Terrorist Attack Kills Seven Israelis in Bulgaria

At least seven Israelis were killed and 20 others injured this morning in a terror attack on Israeli tourists’ bus traveling in Burgas, Bulgaria.

Bulgarian media reported of that the explosion took place while the bus was still in the terminal of Sarafovo Airport in the city.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has set up a special team in its situation room to monitor the events. Israel’s HHN News is reporting that Rabbi Yosef Solomon, Chabad Shliach and chief rabbi of Bulgaria, is in touch with the foreign ministry in an effort to coordinate emergency relief efforts.

“An explosion occurred in a passenger’s bus with Israeli citizens at the Burgas Airport,” Mayor of Burgas Dimitar Nikoliv confirmed to a local radio station. Bulgarian security forces and emergency medical teams have blocked off the area. The airport has been closed as well.

Burgas is the second-largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and a favorite summer destination for Israeli tourists.

An eyewitness told Channel 2 News that Bulgarian authorities were slow to respond to the event; adding that search and rescue teams and the paramedics “Didn’t seem to care too much. They took a while getting these two small fire-extinguishers to fight a burning bus, and the airport’s fire truck took over 15 minutes to get there.”

Update: An eyewitness told Channel 2 News that the attack was perpetrated by a suicide bomber, who got on the bus as it was packed with Israelis and blew himself up.

Update: Today is the 18 year anniversary of the Iran/Hezbollah orchestrated bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 85 people.

Update: Blast recalls foiled attempt by Hezbollah to attack Israelis vacationing in Bulgaria his past January.

Update: There is a permanent Shliach living in Burgas: Rabbi Chaim Tavardovitch (Pictured below giving an interview to Israel’s Channel 2 News) moved there a year ago with his wife.

He is now at the hospital providing assistance and kosher food to the victims and helping them communicate with their families in Israel.