A Spanish policeman was killed and at least six people were injured this evening when a car bomb set by Basque separatists exploded in Madrid, officials said.
The powerful blast occurred in the capital's southeastern Alucha neighbourhood at 6.45 p.m. GMT as police were clearing the area following a telephone warning from the Basque militant group ETA, interior ministry officials said.
Shattered glass from surrounding offices and apartments was testimony to the magnitude of the explosion.
The bomb was placed near buildings belonging to the justice ministry.
Police had received the tip-off about the car bomb 45 minutes before it went off, the interior ministry said, adding that the warning call was made "in the name of ETA".
It said the alert gave police time to evacuate the street and cordon off the area, but that the policeman, identified as Mr Luis Ortiz de la Rosa, was caught in the blast as officers checked buildings.
A security cordon remained around the scene and police were continuing their inspection in case a second car bomb was in the district.
AFP