News, March 2004

3/11 (`11 M`) Terror bombings in Madrid: 200 dead

Written by a pupil at Stanta Eugenia

Click more for updates. 4 Bombs went off at about 7.39 local time this morning in trains at three Madrid rail stations: Atocha, the main station in the south of the city and therefore an interchange point for hundreds of thousands of commuters daily and also two suburban rail stops, El Pozo and Santa Eugenia. The fourth bomb went off in a train 500 metres from Atocha station. A two minute delay in its arrival at the station prevented even more being hit by the blasts. A total of 13 bombs were placed in the trains. The current death toll is 190, with many suffering all levels of injuries. Santa Eugenia and El Pozo are both high density housing areas. El Pozo is also the station for the Madrid regional Assembly. The Basque terror organisation ETA was at first suspected of having placed the bombs.

Update 12th March: the death toll has risen to 199. Over 1400 were injured in the explosions. This was the worst ever terrorist attack in Spanish history and also in the history of the EU. While the government sees in the attacks all the marks of an ETA attack, ETA has informed Basque news agencies to disclaim any responsibility. The explosive is that used by ETA, but a van parked at Alcala station, through which all the affected trains passed, was found to have a similar detonator to the ones used - one charge failed to work- and also had a tape with readings from the Koran, suggesting a possible Al Quaeda link. Last night the Abu Hafs Al Masri brigade, linked to Al Quaeda, claimed responsibiity. There is still no clarity about who the terrorists were. Over 11 million demonstrated today in major spanish cities, the crowds led by politicians and the royal family.

Update 13th March. The death toll has risen today to 200. Police this evening arrested 3 Morroccans and two Indians and two Spaniards `of Hindu origin´ are also being questioned by police. The operation `has only just begun´ and more arrests are expected. Moroccan secret agents are on their way to Madrid to assist with the identification of the suspects. The vehicle found close by the alcala de Henares station with a detonator, etc., is being thoroughly investigated for finger prints, DNA, etc.. Demonstrations in front of the headquarters of the governing Partido Popular demanded answers before the national elections, which take place tomorrow (Sunday).

Update 14th March: late last night a video was discovered claiming to be from the European military spokesman of al Quaida, who took responsibility for the bombings as reprisal for Spain´s involvement in Iraq. Investigations are under way to identify the spokesman. As the identities of the dead become known, it is surprising to see how many of the victims are foreigners, originally from South America, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Background and attempted comment: http://www.prayforspain.com/comment/index16.html

More in Spanish at: http://www.elmundo.es/documentos/2004/03/espana/atentados11m/ or in your usual news source.

Churches

New report in Spanish: projets:13

At present we know of no evangelical church members or missionaries directly affected by the bombings. We do, however, have this report from Robin Pocklington of SEND International:

As we were writing this letter, the bombs went off in Madrid. As many of you have prayed for Spain over the years, join in giving thanks to God that none of the MK’s riding that train line that morning were killed or injured. The 3 Villanueva children left their home station ONE MINUTE before the train exploded there killing 67 with 100’s severely injured, and 3 minutes before they arrived at the next station another train exploded killing 27 with many badly injured. They had to get out of the train and walk through the terrible sights. May God use this horrible atrocity to bring many to vital faith in Christ, our only hope.

The Spanish evangelical churches have published official statements at: http://www.protestantedigital.com/actual/nacional11M.htm

{The author used to live in the area of Santa Eugenia, some 200 yards from the affected station and regularly used the Sta Eugenia- Atocha rail route to reach the city centre. A poem written by one of the students at the Santa Eugenia High School can be read (in Spanish) at: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/03/12/espana/1079098769.html

More in the Special Reports: Election http://www.prayforspain.com/comment/index6.html and 3/11: coment:16