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March 11 marks the five year anniversary of the Madrid bombings

by Amy Judd | March 11, 2009 at 10:31 am

699 views | 14 Recommendations | 8 comments

Today, March 11, marks the five year anniversary of the Madrid bombings that killed 191 people and wounded 1,800.

It was on March 11 2004, that during the morning rush hour in the Spanish capital, terrorists boarded commuter trains and set off bombs that are still the deadliest attacks in Europe since al Qaeda came to be known throughout the world.

The bombs were left in backpacks and sports bags; some were placed under the seats. The bombers then got off the trains at other stations and used cell-phone timers to set off the 10 bombs, one after the other on four separate trains. One bomb didn't explode and the police were able to dismantle it.

Eighteen people were arrested and convicted in the attacks. One man, Juan Carlos Garcia, speaks of a friend's daughter who died that day:

"It was very tough, especially knowing it could have been you," Garcia said. "Now, you remember it, but not the same as when it just happened."

Beata Sadecka, a regular commuter, says she rides cautiously.

"Every day, when I get on the train, I always ride in the last car," Sadecka said. "I don't know why, for safety," she added, not quite sure of her motives.

Everyone in Madrid remembers where they were that day and memorial services set up around the city, as well as five minutes of silence being observed.
The commuters are still taking the trains everyday, but what happened five years ago is never far from their minds.

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Simon Bak

at 11:44 on March 11th, 2009

I was 14 years old when it happend and saw it on TV. I was at the train station last summer, very impressive.
Simon Bak has contributed a photo to this story.

as photography

at 11:33 on March 11th, 2009

as photography has contributed a photo to this story.

ainvar12

at 11:49 on March 11th, 2009

mtwood

at 12:03 on March 11th, 2009

Memorial. The monument is located at the Atocha Train Station (Madrid, Spain) in memorial of the 191 victims of the 11th March 2004 Madrid terrorist attack. The inside of the white tower holds some of the thousands of messages of condolence made in the days after the train bombings.
I wish you can feel the dignity and sober atmosphere of this memorial event. I am Spanish and it is difficult to find words, I just would like to express my solidarity with any of the victims of these crazy attacks in any country of our world.
You have another shot in http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtwood/1570746997/
Best regards,
Manuel

mtwood has contributed a photo to this story.

racEcar_yayas

at 12:05 on March 11th, 2009

The memorial is very simplistic, but moving. As an American, you can feel the anguish of those impacted by this unfortunate event.

racEcar_yayas has contributed a photo to this story.

jazzyzazzy

at 14:44 on March 11th, 2009

So very sad. The injustices bestowed apon the people who really do try to make this a better world. Any disaster such as this brings the emotions pouring out from our hearts. Spain is a lovely country as are the spanish. Makes me sick.