8 Palestinian children die in West Bank bus crash

JERUSALEM - The Associated Press

Israeli and Palestinian rescue workers stand with onlookers at the scene of an accident outside the West Bank city of Ramallah. REUTERS photo

Israeli police say at least eight Palestinian schoolchildren died in a bus crash in the West Bank.

The children were killed when a truck careened into their schoolbus in the morning. The bus overturned and caught fire.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the children were taken to Israeli and Palestinian hospitals and that at least eight died. Palestinian police say the death toll was 10.

There were no signs of foul play. The truck driver was said to be an Arab Israeli citizen who may have lost control in heavy rains and slick roads.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning and ordered flags flown at half staff. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed sorrow.