Jerusalem bombing: 'I'm scared to go to school': 17-year-old speaks out

A 17-year-old schoolgirl has told the JC that she is "scared to go to school" after being caught in this morning's bomb attack in Jerusalem.

Yaelle Estikangi, 17, was on her way to school when the second bomb exploded as she got off the bus. Too shaken to speak she agreed, with her father, to speak to the JC.

"I feel in shock and traumatised," she said. "I got off the bus and I heard a massive explosion. My ears still hurt and my heart is still pounding hours later.

F221123OF30

Two explosions at two bus stops left one person killed and at least another 13 injured. (Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

“Everyone was screaming to the point of hysteria. The first thing I did was run away and called my parents - we all ran away screaming.

"I went straight to hospital with MDA [ambulance service] - I’m in a state of extreme stress. I wasn’t physically injured but I am definitely in a state of shock.

"It’s so scary - I'm scared to go to school now. I won’t get the bus again," she added.

Nineteen people have been injured in two explosions in West Jerusalem this morning in what is suspected to be a double terror attack, with a further bomb defused last night on the light rail track near Jerusalem Central Bus Station around 10pm last night.

Aryeh Shtsupak

Aryeh Shtsupak, age 16, was killed in the Jerusalem bombings this week

The first victim of the attack has been named as 16-year-old Aryeh Shtsupak, who is believed to have held Canadian and US citizenship.

Raphael Poch, a paramedic with United Hatzola, told the JC of the collaboration between people of all faiths to save lives: “The volunteers came from all denominations in Israel at the scene; Jewish, Christian and Muslim volunteers working together to try to save peoples lives.“

He also spoke of the trauma experienced by first responders: "These scenes were very traumatic, we haven’t seen them in Israel for a long time with explosives blowing up buses. We hope it doesn’t continue or carry on to become a trend. We very much don’t want to have to respond to these types of situations in the future."

Jerusalem bomb attack Raphael Poch paramedic

Raphael Poch, a paramedic with United Hatzola, told the JC of the collaboration between people of all faiths to save lives

Also caught up in the attack was Naomi Pilichowski, an 18-year-old Israeli-American, who was injured in the bombing. She is the daughter of Uri Pilichowski, a Jerusalem Post columnist and American-Israeli educator.

She was on her way to Beit Shemesh where she is currently doing her national service when a bomb went off, and was rushed to Hadassah-University Medical Center at Jerusalem's Ein Kerem where she was treated for light injuries.

Her father, Uri, told the Jerusalem Post: “You feel terrified, you are also sad because it’s your daughter and there is anger why this stuff happens.”

Shlomo Yaffeh, who lives 500 metres away from where the attack happened said that, despite the distance, he still felt the impact and heard the noise.

He told the JC: “I was late this morning. So was my daughter, so we heard the explosion at home. It’s a miracle no more were killed - this spot is usually packed with commuters at that time.“