Two people were killed Monday when their car went up in flames on Route 40 near Beersheba, in what police suspect was a double homicide amid a deadly crime wave that has swept Israel in recent months.

The car veered off the southern highway, police said. Images from the scene showed the car badly damaged.

Police said in a statement that a blast was caused by an explosive device in the car and that the incident was tied to criminal activity. The force did not say if the car was targeted or if the occupants were transporting the device.

Police sappers and forensic teams were called to the scene to collect evidence.

The two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene by medics. Their identities were not immediately released.

Hebrew media reported that police believe the burnt car belonged to a figure known to law enforcement.

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