Sgt Violetta Hizgayev

Jun 5, 2002 - Sgt. Violetta Hizgayev, 20, of Hadera, 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. Violetta Hizgayev took bus number 830 every day to the Ordnance Corps base where she served as a technician. She was planning to attend university after completing her army service in a few months. Her brother was also supposed to be on the bus, but had a doctor's appointment, and his life was spared.

Violetta immigrated to Israel with her mother, brother and sister from the northern Caucasus eight years ago. Their father had passed away in Russia and their mother was killed in a car accident two years ago. Since then, the three children lived with their aunt Mina in Hadera. Violetta graduated from the Bosmat high school in Haifa, majoring in industry and management.

Sgt. Violetta Hizgayev was buried in the military cemetery in Hadera. She is survived by her brother Yitzhak (20), her sister Ida (15), and her aunt Mina.