The Foreign Office has told Britons to avoid public transport and public gatherings in Israel after a bus explosion in Israel’s commercial capital, Tel Aviv, injured at least 21 people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman Ofir Gendelman said on his Twitter account that the explosion was caused by a bomb and that it was a "terrorist attack", reports the BBC.
Advice against all travel to areas within 40km of Israel’s border with Gaza remains in place at the Foreign Office.
In addition it said: "Until details of the incident become clearer we advise you to avoid public transport (including transport hubs) and public gatherings (including popular social venues), and to be vigilant when travelling around."
Of the 21 injured, three were suffering from moderate to light injuries – including shrapnel wounds and burns – and were undergoing surgery, a spokesman for the Ichilov medical centre in Tel Aviv said.
Six had already been released and the rest were suffering from anxiety, he said.
The bus was reportedly passing the military headquarters in the city at the time of the blast.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "The UK is deeply concerned at emerging reports of a bomb attack on a bus in Tel Aviv, which has seriously injured a number of people.
"Details of what happened are still unclear but if this was a terrorist attack we condemn it unreservedly. We are clear that terrorists must not be allowed to set the agenda."
