Train bombs: 'Start of WW III'

2004-03-11 22:11

Sarel van der Walt

London - The start of World War III.

This is how the devastating bomb attacks on three trains in the Spanish capital of Madrid during peak hour on Thursday were described.

At least 195 people died and more than a 1 000 were injured in the blasts.

Ten bombs, apparently filled with dynamite, were detonated via remote control, while three others were defused when emergency services arrived.

There were no warnings beforehand. The massacre took place three days before Sunday's general election in the country.

The initial suspicion was that the Basque Separatists Movement (ETA) was responsible for the terrorist attack, the worst in Spanish history, but it is also possible that al-Qaeda or an Arabic resistance group were responsible for the attacks.

Batasuna, political wing of the ETA, denied they were responsible. ETA is a Marxist group established in 1959 and working for a homeland for Basques in the northern part of Spain.

School buses used for injured

By Thursday evening, it was not yet clear whether any South Africans were among the injured or dead.

Alvyn Beck of the South African embassy in Madrid, said at least two South Africans had arrived there to report they were safe.

The attacks on the full trains happened about 07:30, virtually at the same time, at the busy Atocha station and two smaller stations, El Pozo and Santa Eugenia.

At least two bombs exploded on a train entering Atocha station in the southeastern section of the city.

The trains on the stations of El Pozo and Santa Eugenia were stationary when the bombs exploded.

Chaos reigned after the attacks. Bloodied bodies, body parts and injured people were everywhere. Members of the public helped emergency services to take care of the injured while ambulances rushed injured commuters to hospitals.

Even school buses were used to transport those who were not seriously injured to hospital.

At the blood banks, Spaniards queued to donate blood. José Maria Aznar, Spain's prime minister, said the explosive devices used in the attacks were similar to those usually favoured by ETA.

Aznar and his cabinet held an emergency meeting and announced three days of mourning, and King Juan Carlos addressed his fellow citizens on television.

US promises aid to fight terrorism

Anzar, whose Populist Party is tipped to win the election, suspended his party's campaign.

United States secretary of state Colin Powell said America was supporting Spain in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and the "specific threat" of Basque separatists.

Apart from Britain, the Spanish government is the strongest ally in the coalition formed by America to oust former president Saddam Hussain.

Powell said: "No political aim can justify this deliberate massacre of innocent people - we will do everything in our power to assist the Spanish government to trace and prosecute the guilty parties."

- Beeld