More terrorist bombs in Majorca

by Sean McLachlan on

Three small bombs exploded today in Majorca, in a coordinated attack claimed by the terrorist group ETA. There were no injuries.

The first bomb went off in the bathroom of an Italian restaurant and bar next to the beach in Palma de Majorca. Another was detonated nearby by police in a controlled explosion. Shortly thereafter, a third bomb exploded in the town square. ETA, a terrorist group that wants an independent state in Spain’s Basque region, gave a warning that the bombs were going to explode and police were able to evacuate everyone in time.

This comes less than two weeks after two other bombs by ETA, one against Guardia Civil in Majorca that left two officers killed, and another against a Guardia Civil apartment building in Burgos that left dozens with minor injuries.

ETA has killed more than 800 people in the past fifty years and often targets popular tourist destinations like Majorca and Burgos in order to undermine the Spanish economy.

Ports and airports in Majorca closed after bomb kills two

by Sean McLachlan on

The Spanish government has sealed off the island of Majorca after a terrorist bomb attack killed two officers of the Guardia Civil. This comes a day after a bomb targeted Spain’s national police force in Burgos, another destination frequented by tourists. Both attacks occurred outside Guardia Civil barracks.

The attacks are suspected to be the work of ETA, a terrorist group that seeks an independent Basque homeland in Spain’s northern region and which will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding on Friday.

The blast happened just before 2pm local time in Palmanova. The two officers were parked in their patrol car close to where the blast went off. Several other people are reported injured. The Spanish government rushed to close all departure points from the island in order to keep the terrorists from escaping. Spanish media has reported that the main airport, Palma, has since reopened.

Photo of the Day (08.26.08)

by Grant Martin on

Mallorca. This island situated some 250km of the southern coast of Spain is the largest of the Balearic Islands and home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. You may have heard of the Mediterranean party capital Ibiza? This is right next door.

I’ve been tossing around the idea of crashing in Palma, the capital of the Mallorca (and of the entire archipelago)
for Thanksgiving this year and believe that this photo taken by jonrawlinson may have finally helped me commit. Now, if only I could find good plane tickets.

Have any cool photos you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr, and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day.