Jerusalem attack: Tributes paid to Birmingham University student Hannah Bladon

Tributes have been paid to University of Birmingham student Hannah Bladon, who was stabbed to death in Jerusalem on Good Friday.

Ms Bladon, aged 20, was attacked while she travelled on a light rail train near the Old City, which was packed as Christians celebrated Good Friday and Jews marked Passover.

She had been on an exchange programme with the Rothberg International School, part of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, since January and was due to stay until the summer.

The University of Birmingham said: "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."

UPDATE: Family speak of devastation at 'senseless and tragic attack'

Emergency services at the scene near Jerusalem's Old City where Ms Bladon was stabbed

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.

The Rothberg school said Ms Bladon had been on a religious studies course in Birmingham and had been studying classes in bible studies, archaeology and Hebrew during her exchange semester in Israel.

A tribute from the school read: "Her friends described her as an inquisitive and adventurous student who made the most of her opportunity to learn and experience life in Israel."

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 a 57-year-old man at the scene, and Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld said the attack was carried out by an "Arab terrorist" from Rasel Amud, in east Jerusalem.

Ms Bladon was repeatedly stabbed by a man on the tram near City Hall

Shortly after arriving in the country, Ms Bladon referenced the strict security at university in a post to friends on Facebook.

On January 24 she wrote: "I'm ok thanks! Security is really tight on campus so no worries at mo! Managed to see a lot of sites before starting my classes today so defo having a great time."

President 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."

Israeli intelligence services Shin Bet said the attacker had a history of mental illness, that he recently tried to commit suicide in hospital by swallowing a razor blade and that he was convicted of sexually abusing his daughter in 2011.

The Hebrew University condemned the attack, saying: "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.

"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."

A UK Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are in touch with local authorities following an incident in Jerusalem on April 14."