Spain commemorated the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest Islamist militant attacks on Monday with various ceremonies in remembrance of the train bombings in Madrid. Ten bombs concealed in sports bags detonated on four crowded commuter trains during the morning rush hour in Madrid on March 11, 2004, claiming the lives of 192 individuals and injuring over 1,700 others.
At 09:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), church bells rang in the Spanish capital in honor of the victims before a mass took place at the Almudena Cathedral. Floral tributes and candles were left at a new monument unveiled at Atocha station, where one of the trains was targeted, with additional minute’s silence events held throughout the city.
One survivor, Francisco Alameda, shared his experience of rushing to aid others immediately upon realizing he was unharmed during the attacks. He described the lasting impact of the tragic event, including an aversion to the smell of burning flesh that still lingers with him to this day.
Key figures such as King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson participated in a ceremony at Madrid’s Royal Collections Gallery. Attendees also left messages at a commemorative olive tree located within the museum.
White daisies were placed and music played at Retiro park, where 192 trees were planted as a living tribute to the victims of the attacks. The bombings occurred just three days before a general election that resulted in the ousting of the conservative People’s Party, which supported the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Initial attributions of blame towards the Basque separatist group ETA by senior politicians were later refuted, as Islamist militants claimed responsibility for the bombings in a video message citing retaliation for Spain’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. This revelation further exacerbated the existing divisions within Spanish society.
Angel de Marcos, who was present at the station on that fateful day, expressed his frustration over the politicization of the March 11 attacks, noting that the victims have been overshadowed by the ongoing political discourse that has exploited their tragedy for various agendas.
Three weeks after the bombings, seven individuals, including two suspected ringleaders, detonated explosives inside an apartment in the outskirts of Madrid as law enforcement closed in on them. Tragically, a police officer lost his life in the blast during the apprehension attempt.
(Reporting by Marco Trujillo, Catherine MacDonnald, Juan Medina; Writing by Emma Pinedo; Editing by Charlie Devereux and Ros Russell)
