SPAIN:Two civil guards were injured early yesterday morning when a car bomb exploded outside their barracks in Durango near Bilbao. They were treated in hospital for shock and cuts from flying glass.
Although their injuries were not serious, there was considerable damage to nearby buildings. A total of 16 family quarters in the barracks were destroyed and apartment blocks, shops and parked cars within a radius of 200 metres were also badly damaged and electricity, gas and telephone supplies were cut.
One of the injured guards tried to prevent the stolen Citroen van from parking outside the installations. A hooded man ignored his demands, ran from the van and drove away in a car driven by a second man. The bomb in the van exploded seconds later.
Joan Mesquida, the head of police and paramilitary civil guard, confirmed the bomb contained between 80kg and 100kg of explosives and was packed with nails and shrapnel. "They wanted to cause the greatest possible destruction. It is incredible that we are not talking about many serious injuries or even deaths," he said.
A second car was blown up an hour later near the town of Amorebieta, some 12kms away. It carried Portuguese licence plates, adding strength to the suspicion that Eta has spread from its traditional bases in Spain and France and established infrastructures in other countries.
More than 20 Eta suspects have been arrested in recent months in France and Spain, as well as others in England, Mexico and even Canada.
Spanish and French police have seized quantities of arms and explosives since the Basque separatists ended a 15-month ceasefire in early June. On June 22nd a car containing explosives and bomb-making equipment was found in Huelva, near the Portuguese border, after its occupants fled when they spotted a routine traffic control post.
Although no one has admitted the attack, and nor was any prior warning received, police have little doubt it was the work of Eta.
Officials have repeatedly warned that Eta could attack at any time. Only days ago, Arturo Perez Rubalacaba, the interior minister, said it only a matter of time before Eta attacked.
Mr Mesquida said his men have been working round the clock against Eta, but he warned its members that the civil guard would fight them with even greater intensity. "Instead of working 24 hours a day, we will work for 25," he said.