Security tightened around Spanish embassy

12 March 2004

AMSTERDAM — Security measures have been tightened around the Spanish Embassy in The Hague and the consulate building in Amsterdam in response to the Madrid bombings on Thursday.

A spokesman from the Dutch Interior Ministry said the decision was taken on Thursday, but refused to give further details about the measures taken, newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Friday.

Authorities are on alert for all threats and if additional security measures will be taken if and when required, the spokesman said.

The series of bombings on commuter trains in Madrid left some 200 people dead and about 1,400 wounded. Clues so far appear to implicate either the Basque separatist group ETA or Islamic militants.

Subject: Dutch news