What horrible news to wake to this morning. My heartfelt sympathy and empathy go out to Madrilenos and Espanoles. The world is with you.
Viva Espana. Te quiero.

I just heard that seven detonators along with the copy of the Koran were found in a truck outside Madrid. Doesn't sound like ETA to me.

Wow, I'm impressed by the outpoor of sympathy.

I also long to hear from Maribel, I think her husband is spanish and they have family in Madrid and I think she's in Spain right now or headed here in a few days. I hope they are all ok.

Cova, I agree with you. ETA were talking about moving on to bigger things. One etarra woman is known to have said recently that in order to get what they want, ETA needed to put a hundred dead bodies on the negotiating table... Also, the type of explosive used and the similar attacks to trains or stations recently stopped by the police points straight to them. Unfortunately, they not only target government officials and the military, they bombed a department store in the eighties and the parking lot of Barajas airport last year. They just want to blackmail the population and the government into giving them the independence.

A story I heard on the radio today at work: one nurse started helping in the blast area and was horrified to see dead bodies all in and around the train, the only sound that of their mobile phones ringing unanswered.

I don't think it's ETA either. My prayers are with all the families affected by this ruthless actions of evil-minded madmen. Where will they strike next? Damn them all to Hell.

News is now reporting that Al Qaeda is taking responsibility.

Wren: Got a link?

This was indeed horrific and sad news. My thoughts are with all of the victims and their families.

My wife and I were walking from Atocha station toward Prado just 10 days ago. What a pain to know that my beloved Madrilenos suffered from these damned terrorists. I do not care if those responsible are from ETA or Al-Quida, or from other gangs. They all should burn in hell. My deep condolences to Spanish people.

mr.go, it is a reuter's story:

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...p;section=news

My deepest condolences go to the Spanish people. My contempt goes to whatever terrorist organization was responsible.

From CNN currently

Spanish Interior Ministry officials said Thursday they are investigating the new angle in the deadly series of Madrid blasts after the discovery of a van containing eight detonators and an Arabic tape with Koranic teachings.

A citizen's tip Thursday led to the van found near the commuter line. The tape is commercially available and contained no threats.

The new line of investigation raises the possibility of a link to Islamic militants.

Still, the Interior Ministry said the Basque separatist group ETA remains the prime suspect in the series of coordinated bomb attacks on Madrid's commuter train system that killed at least 192 people and wounded 1,400 others at the height of the city's morning rush hour.

FOX/MSNBC reporting that authorities have received a letter from al Qaeda claiming responsibility for this horrendous attack.

News reports also say a tape with sayings from the Koran and detonators were found in a van parked near one of the explosion sites.

This is truly a horrible, horrible terrorist act! I am originally from Madrid (live in NYC) but my parents live there. When I spoke with them this morning they were startled awake by the incessant sirens. They immediately turned on the news and were faced with this horror. My mother said it brought back the terrible memories of 9/11. My heart goes out to all the families and to my lovely home city and country that have been so horribly affected.

What more does it take? Why hasn't every single country in the free world committed 10,000 troops to go to northern Afghanistan/northwestern Pakistan, and turn over every single rock? This kind of terrorism cannot continue if its FINANCIAL leadership is broken. Isn't it clear which multi-millionaire Saudi ex-patriate has the stated intentions of continuing to fund and support these kinds of acts?

My best wishes... to all freedom-loving people and their defenders...

Rex

Well said, Rex.

olga, covadonga, cristina, my Spanish Fodor friends,
I send my deepest, most heartfelt condolences to you all at this terribly tragic moment. As I am here in the US, preparing to leave for my beloved Spain, I watch on television, with disbelief, with pain, with horror, the unfolding tragedy. I feel inmeasureable sadness for the families of the innocent victims. While I am thankful to my God that no loved one or friend has been a victim of this inexplicable, wrenching and cowardly act, I pray that you did not lose a friend or loved one. All my thoughts, my heart and my prayers go out to you. I only wish I could be there right now to join you in solidarity and in protest, and to support you in your grief.
Maribel

What heartbreaking news.... I am headed to wonderful Madrid in May and look forward to being there to support the people of the city. Visitors meant so much to all of us in NYC in the days after 9/11.... I can't believe it's all happening again.

I certainly hope Maribel and her loved ones are ok.

Such a senseless act. Such a waste of human life.

I leave for Madrid in less than 48 hours. It will be devastating to see firsthand what they are going through, and I am completely scared of traveling now. But I'm not planning on cancelling or altering my trip plans. My heart is broken for all those that have been affected by this senseless act.

Whoever is resonsible -- the ETA, al Qaeda, or some other group -- this is very very sad.

We humans can create such beauty, but also such horror.