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News, July '08ETA kills on 50th anniversary of terror.31st July, 09. To 'commemorate' the 50th anniversary of ETA's reign of terror, two major bombings have taken place in the last two days. On 29th a van full of explosive ruined a big Civil Guard barracks in Burgos, causing some injuries and major structural damage to a building. Worse in terms of life was the killing of two Civil Guards with a magnet bomb under their car in Palmanova, Mallorca, on the 30th. Hours later, a second magnet bomb was defused under a car at another nearby Civil Guard post. Intelligence had been aware of the robbery of 3 vans in France recently, with the fear they might be used by ETA. Likewise there was an awareness of possible ETA members having arrived in Mallorca. In the past few days, as the Royal family is due to arrive any time, road controls have been stepped up and people living close to the Marivent palace have been checked and identified by police visits to their homes. Indeed, the Civil Guard had known of the threat to Palmanova since the fall of an ETA 'commando' year. Yet all to no avail prior to the bombings. Palmanova is part of the prime British holiday destination in Mallorca, including Magaluf and Santa Ponsa. As can be imagined, many British holidaymakers were within earshot of the bomb. You can hear an eye witness report at this BBC report. People with flights to and from the island were also affected as several flights were turned back or sent to other islands. Flights to the Spanish mainland were most affected. However, the airport was not fully closed as reported on some media. Today it is expected that more delays will be caused by police measures at the airport. BBC reports: Palmanova, 30th) Burgos, 29th |