cerulean
04-02-2004, 08:24 AM
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/04/02/spain.bombings/index.html
Bomb found on Spanish rail line
From Al Goodman
CNN Madrid Bureau Chief
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- High-speed trains have been halted on the Madrid-Seville route after investigators found a bomb under the tracks, Spanish officials said.
State radio quoted officials as saying the Civil Guard defused the bomb -- and that it was made of the same type explosive used in the March 11 terrorist attacks on Madrid trains.
The bomb was found Friday near the town of Villaseca de la Sagra, in Toledo province south of Madrid, a Civil Guard spokesman told CNN.
The bomb contained 10-12 kilograms (22-24 pounds) of dynamite connected to a detonator by a 131-meter (430-foot) cable, Spain's Interior Minister Angel Acebes said.
A railway worker under contract to build new rails found the bomb, according to media reports. A spokesman for the state railway, RENFE, could not confirm those reports.
Earlier, the railway spokesman told CNN the device was found after a caller phoned an emergency services number and told authorities a bomb was on the train line.
However, the spokesman later said he could not confirm the report of a phone call.
The railway stopped trains on the route, the spokesman said, affecting thousands of passengers.
The bullet trains -- Spain's fastest, capable of speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph) -- have been in service since 1992 on the 417-km (259-mile) route.
Friday's incident occurred just three weeks after the Madrid commuter train bombings on March 11 that killed 190 people and wounded more than 1,400.
Then, 10 backpack bombs ripped through four commuter trains during morning rush hour. They were detonated by cell phones attached to explosives.
The investigation into the attacks has focused on a Moroccan extremist group with ties to al Qaeda.
Meanwhile, a Spanish judge on Friday released without charges two Syrian men who had been detained in connection with the train bombings.
A Moroccan man also was released but was ordered to report daily to police until further notice, a court spokeswoman told CNN. (Full story)
A total of 14 people have been charged in the case. Ten are Moroccans, including a woman. The others are a Syrian man, a Spanish man and two men born in India.
In addition, the court has issued international arrest warrants for five Moroccan men and a Tunisian man.
Police say the Tunisian is considered to be a "coordinator" of the attacks.
Clearly the attacks on Spain have not been halted by choosing a new government. But that's no surprise, since Al Qaeda's objection to Spain is from over 500 years ago anyway.
Bomb found on Spanish rail line
From Al Goodman
CNN Madrid Bureau Chief
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- High-speed trains have been halted on the Madrid-Seville route after investigators found a bomb under the tracks, Spanish officials said.
State radio quoted officials as saying the Civil Guard defused the bomb -- and that it was made of the same type explosive used in the March 11 terrorist attacks on Madrid trains.
The bomb was found Friday near the town of Villaseca de la Sagra, in Toledo province south of Madrid, a Civil Guard spokesman told CNN.
The bomb contained 10-12 kilograms (22-24 pounds) of dynamite connected to a detonator by a 131-meter (430-foot) cable, Spain's Interior Minister Angel Acebes said.
A railway worker under contract to build new rails found the bomb, according to media reports. A spokesman for the state railway, RENFE, could not confirm those reports.
Earlier, the railway spokesman told CNN the device was found after a caller phoned an emergency services number and told authorities a bomb was on the train line.
However, the spokesman later said he could not confirm the report of a phone call.
The railway stopped trains on the route, the spokesman said, affecting thousands of passengers.
The bullet trains -- Spain's fastest, capable of speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph) -- have been in service since 1992 on the 417-km (259-mile) route.
Friday's incident occurred just three weeks after the Madrid commuter train bombings on March 11 that killed 190 people and wounded more than 1,400.
Then, 10 backpack bombs ripped through four commuter trains during morning rush hour. They were detonated by cell phones attached to explosives.
The investigation into the attacks has focused on a Moroccan extremist group with ties to al Qaeda.
Meanwhile, a Spanish judge on Friday released without charges two Syrian men who had been detained in connection with the train bombings.
A Moroccan man also was released but was ordered to report daily to police until further notice, a court spokeswoman told CNN. (Full story)
A total of 14 people have been charged in the case. Ten are Moroccans, including a woman. The others are a Syrian man, a Spanish man and two men born in India.
In addition, the court has issued international arrest warrants for five Moroccan men and a Tunisian man.
Police say the Tunisian is considered to be a "coordinator" of the attacks.
Clearly the attacks on Spain have not been halted by choosing a new government. But that's no surprise, since Al Qaeda's objection to Spain is from over 500 years ago anyway.