Sgt Sivan Wiener

Jun 5, 2002 - Sgt. Sivan Wiener, 19, of Holon, was one of 17 people killed when a car packed with a large quantity of explosives struck Egged bus No. 830 traveling from Tel-Aviv to Tiberias at the Megiddo junction near Afula.

The attack took place at about 7:15 in the morning. The force of the explosion lifted the bus into the air, and reduced the car carrying the bomb to charred metal. The car exploded near the gasoline tank of the bus, causing it to burst into flames. Most of the casualties were soldiers who were on their way to their bases. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sgt. Sivan Wiener turned 19 just one day before the bus bombing. She celebrated her birthday with her young nieces at her brother's house, and in the evening, went out with friends to a Tel Aviv club. She wanted to return to the army base that night, but her brother Dudo asked her to wait until early morning when it is safer to travel. Next week she was to begin training her first group of army recruits.

The youngest in the family, Sivan majored in sports and athletics at the Sharett high school. Before her enlistment in the army at the end of 2001, she was a member of the Hora Re'im dance troupe from Holon, with which she performed both in Israel and abroad.