A small bomb exploded in Spain's Basque Country today which authorities said was bait to lure police into a second booby trap device.
The explosion did not cause any serious damage or injuries. Police investigating the dawn blast stayed outside the communications transmitter compound outside the northern town of Hernani, fearing a trap.
Explosives experts found a trip wire linked to a rucksack which was packed with 10 kg (22 pounds) of explosives and 2kg of shrapnel, regional interior minister Javier Balza said. Experts deactivated the bomb but were also investigating a second rucksack nearby.
Officers found three signs on the road to the transmitter outside Hernani that read: "Warning, ETA bomb", a police spokeswoman said. Police said they received no warning before the blast, which occurred at around 1 a.m. (0000 GMT).
If confirmed, the attack would be the first this year by ETA, an armed group fighting for independence for the region bordering France's Atlantic coast.
ETA was blamed for the killings of four people in 2008 -- two members of the security forces, a former councillor for Spain's ruling Socialist party and a businessman involved in a new train line opposed by the group.
The picturesque town of Hernani, 12km inland from the historic resort of San Sebastian, has a tradition of support for left-wing, pro-independence groups.
Its mayor, Marian Beitialarrangoitia, stood for a party now banned by Spanish courts because of its links to ETA.
She gained notoriety last year after publicly applauding two suspected members of ETA accused of a deadly bomb attack on Madrid airport in 2006.
Reuters