More small blasts hit Spain

Explosions reported in Spain after calls from Basque group

Explosions reported in Spain after calls from Basque group

At least six small bombs exploded today in cities around Spain after telephone warnings from callers claiming to speak on behalf of the armed Basque separatist group ETA, news reports said.

Explosions were reported in Leon and Santillana del Mar in the north, Avila and Ciudad Real in central Spain, Alicante in the east and Malaga in the south, the news agency Europa Press reported.

There was no report of serious injuries.

The blasts followed two telephone warnings to the Basque newspaper Gara from callers claiming to represent ETA that said bombs had been placed in seven cities throughout the country.

Before the blasts, the Interior Ministry had said the seven sites targeted – streets and plazas and a parking lot – had been evacuated and cordoned off.

Five small bombs exploded Friday evening in Madrid. Damage was minor and two police officers were lightly injured.

Another small bomb was defused Saturday in the southern city of Almeria.

Spanish security forces had already been on alert today, a public holiday marking the 26th anniversary of the passage of the Spanish constitution. The document laid the groundwork for Spain's system of granting broad autonomy to regions like the northern Basque country.

ETA wants outright independence for the region and has been blamed for more than 800 deaths in its decades&-old campaign of violence.