‘They kept on shooting’

Several eyewitnesses spoke to the Daily News about the blast:

W.M.Dilan Sudharshana (25) : I live very close to the spot where the blast took place. I heard a terrible sound of an explosion and instantly I heard someone shouting “Budu Ammo”.

I ran towards the place where the sound came from and saw some people trying to jump from the windows of bus under attack. I also saw a person in black clothes shooting at those climbing down from the bus. That man kept on firing continuously.

M.M. Sampath Thushara (26), a passenger of the ill-fated bus who was fortunate to have escaped death said yesterday was the Weekly “Pola” day.

“Yesterday was the usual “Sathi Pola” and there were more than 80 passengers in the bus.

The bus managed to pass through Weli Ara area. As it came to Petti Kanda, I heard a terrible sound of a blast. All started shouting.

I saw shooting from the woods and the passengers climbing down were the targets. Instead of going from the front door I jumped from the other side and ran. I heard continuous shotting while I was running for safety.

D.M. Lalani : There were about 80 people in the bus which came from Maniyaella. As I heard blasts my one month old infant crept under the passenger seat to escape harm that could cause to me and my baby. I also saw the terrorists shooting those coming out of the bus. I hid myself all the time and came out of hiding and reached safety.