Train bombings of 2004

A lot of people have recently asked me about the train bombings in Madrid from 2004 and if I know more about this topic. Consequently, I've done some research and written a little chronicle about it to provide you with the necessary information. Here we go:

On March 11, 2004 ten bombs exploded in four commuter trains in Madrid. 191 people were killed and almost 2000 people injured, causing this event to be Europe’s deadliest terrorist attack in the years since the Second World War. The explosions were timed to take place during the peak of Madrid's rush hour and took place between 07:37 and 07:40 in the morning. All the affected trains were traveling on the same line and in the same direction between Alcalá de Henares and the Atocha station in Madrid, which is the largest train stations of the city. All four trains had departed the Alcalá de Henares station between 07:01 and 07:14. It was later shown that the bombs were brought in backpacks into the trains and that three other bombs did not detonate as planned and were later found intact.

The terrorist attacks were initially suspected to be the work of the Basque separatist militant group ETA. This was soon proven to be incorrect as evidence mounted against an extreme Islamist militant group loosely tied to al-Qaida. Many in Spain and around the world saw the attacks as retaliation for Spain's participation in the war in Iraq, where about 1,400 Spanish soldiers were stationed at that time.

The attacks took place two days before a major Spanish election, in which anti-war Socialists swept to power.  Shortly after the attacks, protests around Spain mounted because the people wanted to know who was responsible for this tragic events, before the polls opened two days later. The government continued to blame ETA for the terrorist attacks; however, the police investigation soon made al-Qaida responsible for it. The new government, led by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, removed Spanish troops shortly after coming to power from Iraq, with the last leaving the country in May 2004.

Sympathy came from governments internationally, immediately following the bombings, led by Spain's partners in the European Union. France raised its terror alert level, and Athens' security was tightened at train stations and the Spanish Embassy. Similar measures were also adopted in Italy.

The train bombings of 2004 in Madrid were the most severe terrorist attacks in the history of Spain.

These information has been found on (all accessed February 4, 2012):

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Madrid_train_bombings

Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1279086/Madrid-train-bombings-of-2004

History.com: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/terrorists-bomb-trains-in-madrid 

PS: Atocha is the train station from which I am taking my train to the university every day. However, to quote my boyfriend (a very wise man): "It already happened there, it is by now the safest place on earth [statistically]". :-)

Don't worry be happy!