Tragedy in Spain

[Karen]

We were horiified by the events in Spain yesterday, and will keep that whole country and its people in our thoughts and prayers at this sad, sad time.

[EssTer]

I'm really sorry, I feel realy dumb, but what happened yesterday in Spain? sorry for so stupid question..

[aly]

There were train bombings - CNN has the story

http://www.cnn.com/

[EssTer]

OMG.. it's so awful... I really feel sorry about those people...

[Randi]

Europeans are shocked, it is the worst terror attack in Spain ever. So very sad!

Here's BBC's story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3506352.stm

[RICHARD]

Millions to join march on terror

Millions of people were expected to turn out on the streets of Spain today in protest at yesterday's devastating bomb attacks in Madrid which killed 199 people.

As the death toll rose, Spanish television and news reports continually revised the number of fatalities.

Of those who have died, 85 have yet to be identified, said Deputy Justice Minister Rafael Alcala, who was speaking from a makeshift morgue.

Europe minister Denis MacShane will fly to Madrid to represent the Government and the British people at the planned mass rally to protest against the terrorist bombings that killed 198 people.

Mr MacShane said the atrocities showed that "a new politics" was required and criticised people who said the Prime Minister was "exaggerating" the threat. He warned that in the fight against terrorism the authorities would not always be able to stop determined killers.

Mr MacShane told BBC Breakfast: "I'm going to Spain myself to express the solidarity of the Government and everybody in Britain in the great march in Madrid tonight."

He said it was too early to be sure who carried out the attacks, adding that there were "hallmarks" of Eta while the scale of the bombings suggested other groups may have been involved.

"I don't think we should rush to judgment. The Spanish authorities will be investigating very, very hard indeed," he said. "There are hallmarks of Eta involvement - their first big terrorist activity more than 40 years ago was a train explosion - but the scale of the bombings, of course, leads one to think that others might be involved. Let's just wait and see.

"Finally, if somebody is prepared to plant a bomb in the middle of a crowded place like a train or where people are gathered, then terrible deaths, of course, will follow," he said.

"It is about vigilance, it's also about backing the authorities, it's about taking new measures, it's about recruiting more agents to infiltrate and penetrate the groups. This is a new politics. Even today I was reading articles somehow dismissing or saying the Prime Minister was exaggerating, I really don't see how these journalists can hold their heads up."
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The saddest part about this is the backlash against the good people of the Muslim faith that will be targeted in the aftermath.

I just do not understand why the clerics of that faith have not been more vocal and proactive in asking their followers to refrain from using violence to get their points across..

[joycenalex]

...2 1/2 years after new york, washington and pennsylvania... sigh, why do terrorists do those awful things? my deep condolences to the people of spain and the citizens of madrid.

[slick]

My thoughts go out to the friends and family of the deceased and I can only ask myself

When will all this fighting end???????????

Planet of the Apes comes to mind when it was discovered that we blew ourselves up and the only thing visible was the top of the Statue of Liberty........

[popcornbird]

I will never understand how ANYONE could be so evil as to commit such wicked crimes against humanity. May those who did this rot it Hell, where they belong.

The news came to us as a great shock. Sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones, as well as to the Spanish nation as a whole. I will hope and pray that those who committed these crimes be found and brought to justice as soon as possible.

[ramanth]

So very very sad.

[Edwina's Secretary]

The horror of an ordinary activity on an ordinary day turned into an unspeakable nightmare.

Devastating.................

[trayi52]

So sad.. When will they stop this stupidity. The killing of innocent lives discusts me.

My prayers are with all.

Willie

[RICHARD]

I just heard a report about the rescue workers dealing with the tragedy..


They reported that the worst part about the carnage were the ringing cell phones in the victim's pockets.

Every ring is the sound of a heart soon to be broken.

[lovemyshiba]

How sad.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Spain at this time.

My friend's roommate is studying over there right now, and her mom was in a total state of panic. Thank God, they finally got ahold of her, and she is alright.

[RICHARD]

Browsing thru the pics of the marches....

People had painted the palms of their hands WHITE.......it means NO MORE TERRORISM..