Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

ETA Behind Blasts in Northern Spain

Bombs in tourist towns mark Basque group's summer awakening

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 21, 2008 9:48 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The Basque separatist group ETA detonated five bombs in northern Spain yesterday in a coordinated attack, the Telegraph reports, though only one injury was reported. Four bombs went off in tourist resorts; a fifth targeted a bank near Bilbao. The explosions marked the traditional summer bombing campaign ETA has waged in an attempt to disrupt Spanish tourism.

The attacks demonstrate that the ETA is reasserting itself despite recent setbacks, including the arrest of its top leader earlier this month in France. "I want to condemn the attacks," said Spain's interior minister, "and issue a second message, just so it's clear, that the best way to get a long prison sentence in Spain at the moment is to join ETA."

Police officers search the scene of a small bomb that exploded in the promenade at small town of Laredo, Spain, yesterday. Nobody was injured.
Police officers search the scene of a small bomb that exploded in the promenade at small town of Laredo, Spain, yesterday. Nobody was injured.   (AP Photo)
A police car patrols the seaside near to the scene of a second small bomb that exploded in a hut at the seaside in Laredo, Spain, yesterday; Basque separatist group ETA claimed reponsibility.
A police car patrols the seaside near to the scene of a second small bomb that exploded in a hut at the seaside in Laredo, Spain, yesterday; Basque separatist group ETA claimed reponsibility.   (AP Photo)
Police officers search the scene of a second small bomb that exploded in a hut at the seaside in the small town of Laredo, northern Spain, Sunday, July 20, 2008.
Police officers search the scene of a second small bomb that exploded in a hut at the seaside in the small town of Laredo, northern Spain, Sunday, July 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Graffiti supporting ETA in the Basque country of Spain.
Graffiti supporting ETA in the Basque country of Spain.   ((c) Daquella manera)
Five attacks in the Basque region of Spain launched ETA's summer terror campaign.
Five attacks in the Basque region of Spain launched ETA's summer terror campaign.   ((c) futureatlas.com)
Police officers search the scene of a second small bomb that exploded in a hut at the seaside in the small town of Laredo, northern Spain, Sunday, July 20, 2008.
Police officers search the scene of a second small bomb that exploded in a hut at the seaside in the small town of Laredo, northern Spain, Sunday, July 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

A 40-year campaign continues
BBC

 
terrorism • Spain • bomb • ETA • Bilbao • Basque separatists • Spain terror attacks

More Newser Stories

Cops Injured in Bilbao Blast

Spain's ETA Unleashes 3 Attacks in 24 Hours

France Arrests Basque Terror Group's Leader

Basque Group ETA Calls Cease-Fire After 43 Years

Basque Militants ETA Declare Ceasefire
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne