RESCUE ACTIVITY DURING THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON 11 MARCH 2004 IN MADRID

Abstract

Ten bombs exploded in the space of about three minutes slightly before eight o’clock in the morning on 11 March 2004. The bombs, which had been placed in suitcases, exploded on railway trains of the line Corredor del Hanares, which connects western parts of the suburbs with Madrid centre. After the attack, in which 191 people died, a rescue action was mounted immediately in which various rescue units and other services collaborated, such as firefighters and healthcare units, police, the judiciary, experts for identification of bodies and others. Although Spain already had experience with the terrorist attacks of the Basque separatist organisation ETA, this attack at various locations (it is also known in Spain as 11/3 or 11-M) was the worst terrorist attack in Spain’s history.