Manila bombing, at least two dead

MANILA – A powerful explosion ripped through a passenger bus in the Philippine capital last night, killing at least two people and wounding at least 18 others.

The explosion was so powerful it punched a hole in a nearby concrete fence along metropolitan Manila’s main highway in suburban Makati city, Mayor Junjun Binay said.

The bus was approaching a commuter railway station when the blast occurred inside the vehicle, taking out half of its front windshield, punching holes in windows and immediately killing a female passenger.

He said the damage indicated that it was caused by a bomb, with one hospital reporting two dead and 18 wounded. Some passengers escaped unhurt.

Metro Manila police chief Nicanor Bartolome said “an explosive” must have been placed under a passenger seat somewhere in the middle of the bus where it caused a “big hole”.

Bomb investigators were examining the debris to determine the type of explosives used, he said.

Binay said he was one of the first at the scene, describing the carnage to reporters.

“There were bones and flesh on the pavement. A bloodied body was still there. This is an act of terrorism,” he said.

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