Tributes paid to British woman Hannah Bladon killed in knife attack on train in Jerusalem

Friends have paid tribute to a British woman killed in a knife attack on a train in Jerusalem.

20-year-old student Hannah Bladon was stabbed repeatedly while she travelled on a light rail train near the Old City of Jerusalem on Good Friday.

The train was packed as Christians celebrated Good Friday and Jews marked Passover.

Friends have taken to social media pay tribute to the Religious Studies undergraduate, who was a student at the University of Birmingham.

Celina Natzic‏ wrote on Twitter: “Truly at a loss for words....Hannah was one of my favorite people at the university.”

Tributes have poured in to the religious studies student.
PA

Ms Bladon had been on an exchange programme with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem since January.

Teacher Rona Evyasaf added on Facebook: “A student of mine, Hannah Bladon, was murdered today in a terror attack here in Jerusalem.

“I did not know her well as we only had a few classes since the semester started. But at the little time we had, I found her to be very serious about her studies and very excited about archaeology (she wanted to go on a dig before she goes back home).

Israeli policemen block the road after the attack just outside Jerusalem's Old City
Reuters

“This is breaking my heart.”

Israel's ambassador to the UK Mark Regev described her killing as a "senseless act of terror".

He tweeted: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of UK student Hannah Bladon, who was murdered in a senseless act of terror in Jerusalem today."

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said: "The Hebrew University and the Rothberg International School express our deep sorrow over the murder of a British student, Hannah Bladon, in today's attack.

"We extend our deepest condolences to her family and we share in their sorrow.

"The university condemns such acts of terror that harm innocent people, and especially a student who came to Jerusalem to study and widen her academic horizons.

Two other people suffered injuries in the knife attack on a train in Jerusalem
Reuters

"The university administration and staff will provide all necessary support to students, faculty members and their families in Israel and around the world.

"Hannah Bladon came to the Hebrew University as part of a student exchange from the University of Birmingham.

"Hannah began her studies here at the end of January 2017 and was supposed to continue her studies until the end of the current semester."

Israeli Police and medics inspect the scene of a stabbing attack.
EPA

A statement released by Rothberg International School added: "It is with tremendous sorrow that we inform you of the tragic death of Hannah Bladon, a student at the Rothberg International School who was fatally wounded earlier today in a stabbing attack adjacent to the Old City, while travelling on the Jerusalem light rail.

"Hannah, a Religious Studies undergraduate student from the University of Birmingham in England, studied at the Rothberg International School in the framework of Hebrew University’s exchange program.

"Her friends described her as an inquisitive and adventurous student who made the most of her opportunity to learn and experience life in Israel. Her family has been notified."

The knife used in the attack, which was described as a 'terrorist' incident by the Israeli Foreign Ministry

A statement from the University of Birmingham read: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of our student Hannah Bladon who was killed whilst on an exchange programme in Jerusalem.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this tragic time and we will be providing support for any student affected by this terrible event.”

Ms Bladon was attacked by a Palestinian man who pulled a knife from his bag and repeatedly stabbed her as the tram neared Jerusalem's City Hall.

An off-duty policeman pulled an emergency brake and tried to intervene.

Paramedics treated her at the scene and rushed her to hospital but she later died.

A pregnant women and 50-year-old man were also injured in the incident when the tram came to a sudden stop and in the aftermath of the attack.

Police detained man at the scene. Israel's security service identified him as a 57-year-old Palestinian man who had mental health problems.

President of Israel Reuven Rivlin said he was "filled with sadness" about Ms Bladon's death, saying Israel's "thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim".

He said: "This week thousands have come through the ancient gates of Jerusalem, to celebrate the feasts of Passover and Easter throughout the city - while the security forces work to ensure the safety of the dear residents and visitors to the city.

"And so we will continue to do. Terror can never overcome us. Terror will never destroy our lives here."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the tragic death of a British national in Jerusalem.

"We are providing support to her family at this difficult time and are in touch with local authorities."

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