A booby-trapped car exploded 30 July in front of the paramilitary Guardia Civil headquarters in Palmanova outside of Palma, on the Balearic island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain, killing its two Guardia Civil occupants. The bomb was either placed in a bag under the patrol car or attached to its underside, say police, who believe it was activated by cell phone. They immediately sealed ports and the airport, and raised security across Spain. The Spanish royal couple was expected in Palma this weekend. Another bomb was found underneath a car in nearby barracks, but was disarmed.

The attack was the second in two days, after an explosion targeted the Guardia Civil in Burgos, northern Spain 29 July. Both attacks have been attributed to ETA, the violent Basque separist group which was called into being 50 years ago, 31 July. Travellers were blocked at the airport, and arriving planes were turned back or diverted. BBC, El Pais (Spa), NZZ (Ger)

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