Eta car bombs explode in two tourist resorts

Car bombs blamed on Eta Basque separatists exploded in two Spanish Mediterranean tourist resorts over the weekend, killing a Catalan policeman and causing extensive damage to vehicles and buildings.

Car bombs blamed on Eta Basque separatists exploded in two Spanish Mediterranean tourist resorts over the weekend, killing a Catalan policeman and causing extensive damage to vehicles and buildings.

Police received warning of the first attack, in Roses, near the French border, on Saturday night, and rushed to evacuate a hundred people from the a nearby hotel. The bomb exploded soon afterwards, killing Santos Santamaria Avendano, 32, who was hit by flying metal 100 metres away.

Hours later in the resort of Gandia in the Valencia region, police detonated a car bomb placed near the seafront promenade, after receiving a warning. The 50kg bomb was activated by robot before dawn yesterday. The blast destroyed 20 cars and shattered windows but caused no injuries.

Politicians were shaken that Eta's Catalan operation, supposedly dismantled with much fanfare two months ago, had re-established itself so quickly and to such deadly effect.

The death at Roses brings to 28 the number of people killed since Eta ended a ceasefire in 1999. Those responsible for both bombs are suspected of launching their raids from France.