Over 60 killed in train blasts in Madrid

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 11, 2004

Over 60 killed in train blasts in Madrid

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At least 62 were killed and dozenswere injured in three deadly rail explosions during rush hour on Thursday morning in central Madrid, just three days before the Spanish general election, the Interior Ministry said.

An Interior Ministry spokeswoman said among the 62 dead, 29 were at the central Madrid station of Atocha, 18 at the southern station of El Pozo and 15 at Santa Eugenia.

Spanish national TV said hundreds were appeared injured and thestate radio put the death toll at least 85 people.

Interior Minister Angel Acebes has arrived at the station and police have evacuated buildings around Atocha station, fearing more explosions.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but a Spanish government spokesman blamed armed Basque separatist group ETA (Basque Homeland and Freedom) for the bombings, which hit the country three days ahead of general elections.

The explosion caused massive panic. Police were using taxis to take injured victims to hospitals, as sufficient ambulances were not available. Hospitals were struggling to cope with huge influx of injured victims and appealed for blood donations.

All the political parties suspended all their electoral rallies.

Spanish election has focused on the ruling Popular Party's tough line against the ETA, which has waged a bloody campaign for independence for more than 30 years.

On Feb. 29, police intercepted a Madrid-bound van with more than 500 kg of explosives allegedly linked to ETA.

On Christmas eve, police thwarted an ETA attempt to bomb Chamrtin, another Madrid rail station, and arrested two of its suspected members.

ETA has waged a three-decade violent campaign for independence that has killed more than 850 people.

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