No S Africans hurt in blast
12/03/2004 12:44  - (SA)  

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Pretoria - There was no indication of any South Africans having been injured or killed in the bombings in Madrid, Spain, that claimed 198 lives, the foreign affairs ministry said on Friday.

"We are in contact with our embassy there, and there is nothing at this stage that indicates South Africans may have been affected by the bomb blast," said ministry spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.

A series of bombs hidden in backpacks exploded in quick succession on Thursday, blowing apart four passenger trains during the height of the morning rush hour in Madrid.

At least 1 400 people were injured. Spain at first reportedly blamed ETA, the Basque militant group, for the blasts. A shadowy group has since claimed responsibility in the name of extremist group al-Qaeda.

President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday expressed shock and dismay at the explosions, and sent his condolences to King Don Juan Carlos I, the government, and the people of Spain. South Africa has reiterated its condemnation of all forms of terrorism.

- SAPA

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