Return to Transcripts main page

Breaking News

Car Bomb Explodes in Busy Area of Jerusalem

Aired March 02, 2002 - 12:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: More now on that car bombing we reported just moments ago, taking place in Jerusalem. We have with us on the telephone CNNi anchor Jonathan Mann. He's on the phone with us now. Jonathan, set the scene for us there.

JONATHAN MANN, CNNi ANCHOR: Well, Fredricka, darkness has fallen here, which brought an end to the Jewish sabbath, and the bomb went off just a short time ago, as the streets were beginning to fill with Orthodox Jews who are in this neighborhood on the eastern side of Jerusalem.

Now, there are police sirens, there are fire and emergency workers here. We're being kept away from the closest element of the scene, but what we can tell you is this: CNN photographers who were close to the site of the car bomb -- there was indeed a car that exploded -- they say what seemed to be two bodies covered in fabric and three wounded people being taken away. We're not being given any details of the scene, but once again, there is a flurry of activity.

The car appeared to have exploded on a small alley adjoining a major street. That major street is now completely jammed with emergency vehicles and fire trucks, and the alley way itself has been cut off by authorities. There is a synagogue right next to the scene of the bombing. People are standing in the doorway sharing what information they have, but so far the details are very few -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Jonathan, what more can you tell us about that area in terms of the traffic? You said there is a synagogue in the area, there are some businesses there, but what about foot traffic and car traffic in that area at this time?

MANN: Well, there are a lot of people milling around. There are cars parked on this alley. This clearly seems to be a street that people use a great deal. And the timing of it, though completely mysterious to the time being like the explosion itself, suggests that if it was an intentional blast, it was a blast timed to coincide with the time when Orthodox Jews would be in the streets ending their sabbath and getting out to enjoy the air.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much, CNNi anchor Jonathan Mann for reporting for us from Jerusalem there. This story is ongoing, and it is just happening there. Emergency crews there are trying to clear up the area, getting a better sense of exactly what happened and why.

All we know, according to Jonathan at this point, that two bodies have been covered with sheets, and three wounded individuals have been taken away as a result of a car bombing there in a rather busy area in Jerusalem. And, of course, when we have more on that, we'll be reporting that to you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Now we're continuing to follow a developing story for you out of Jerusalem. A car bombing there took place just moments ago. Two people appear to have been killed. Three others have been taken away, who experienced injuries. We don't know much about this car bombing attack, only it took place moments ago in a crowded, typically crowded, busy area in Jerusalem. And of course, we're collecting information as it's brought to us, and we'll be bringing it to you as soon as we get more.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com