Spanish Police avoid terrorist massacre in Madrid

Spanish police stop van carrying 500 kgs of explosives

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MADRID, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Spanish police intercepted a van on Sunday carrying more than 500 kgs (1,100 lbs) of explosives, which they believe armed Basque separatist group ETA was planning to use for an attack in Madrid, officials said.

"A tragedy has been avoided. Without doubt, more than 500 kgs of explosives ... was a cargo that would have caused an explosion with very serious consequences," Interior Minister Angel Acebes told a news conference.

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Spain police 'foil Eta bomb plot'


Eta recently extended its campaign against Spanish tourist targets
Two suspected members of Basque separatist group Eta have been arrested as they headed to Madrid in a truck laden with explosives.
Spanish police said they were arrested early on Sunday about 140km outside the Spanish capital, with 500kg of explosives hidden in the vehicle.

Government officials believe the men were planning an attack in the lead-up to Spain's general election.

Eta has killed more than 800 people in its campaign since the late 1960s.

More than 500 kgs of explosives ... was a cargo that would have caused an explosion with very serious consequences

Interior Minister Angel Acebes

Earlier this month the group said it was extending its campaign against Spanish tourist targets from the summer season to year round attacks.

The BBC's Katya Adler, in Madrid, says Spain's anti-terrorist police have been on high alert ahead of elections in two week's time.

"The magnificent efficiency of the Civil Guard has avoided, without question, a massacre," Interior Minister Angel Acebes told Reuters news agency.

"More than 500 kgs of explosives ... was a cargo that would have caused an explosion with very serious consequences," he said.

The ruling Popular Party had boasted that they dealt Eta a fatal blow with a string of recent high-profile arrests.

Train bombing averted

Recent blows to Eta have included the arrest of four suspects, and the seizure of false identity papers and weapons, by French authorities in December.

One of those captured was suspected military leader Gorka Palacios Alday, 29, who is wanted for a series of bombings in Spain.

That followed the recapture of another suspected key leader, Ibon Fernandez Iradi, 32, who is expected to face charges of terrorism links and attempted murder.

In July last year, Eta carried out a number of bombings around Spain, including a twin bomb attack in Alicante and Benidorm which injured 13 people, two seriously, including several foreigners.

At Christmas, Spanish authorities foiled a plot to blow up trains at a Madrid rail station.

Two bombs, including a 25-kilo (50 lb) device, were intercepted and two men arrested before they reached the capital.
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Bastards

Yes... scary, scary, scary

Have you listened this Keeper?


Interior Minister Angel Acebes told that if the bomb would have exploded it would have caused a crater of 35 meters, serious damages in the buildings that had been to 60 meters at the round one and the distance of security for people should be of 1.500 meters

Yes, how could I not hear it?!


All I know is these people are crazy.

500 kg's. thats a crazy amount of explosives for a bomb.

I can't remember how much the IRA used in Omah but it was alot lot less than that and it killed 30 odd people.


some people are just animals.

They're animals indeed, Jim! (Goodness, we seem to be so in agreement these days :P )

I'm glad they don't call themselves Spanish, who would want them to anyway?

In the past (4-5 years ago), they tried to destroy Picasso Tower in Madrid with 1000 kg of explosives. With 500 kg they would have destroyed...i dont want to imagine it



The attack, foreseen for 22 of December of 1999, was frustrated after being intercepted in the county of Zaragoza the vans that transported the dynamite




The command Madrid that Ana Nativity "Dolores" directed sought to fly the Tower Picasso of the capital in December of 1999, in coincidence with the celebration of the Lottery of Christmas. 1.700 kilos of explosive were intercepted in the called "caravan of the death".

I suppose the only thing people can do is get on with it and not bow down to these people cause that's what they want.

Watching the concert for new york all i was thinking was brilliant this is just showing them that we'll face up to whatever they hit us with and not go running.

From a personal point of view. Belfast is still a pretty crazy place even though there's releative "peace" there just now but it doesn't stop me going over you know.

Going to try and make it over this year cause I've not been for a while.

Not spanish, not basque...only bastards, terrorist, assasins

Exactly!!!



Of course, the important thing is to carry on with your normal life, not let them know if they hurt you or not.

Makes me mad people kill people for a plot of land and a bunch of silly ideas, though.