Two bombings in Spain

MADRID, Spain -- Two small bombs exploded on Wednesday night in the northern Basque region of Spain.

Spanish officials blamed the separatist group ETA, which has stepped up its armed campaign ahead of regional elections.

According to police, the devices, hidden in backpacks, contained up to five kilograms (11 pounds) of dynamite.

They blew up in the doorways of courts in the towns of Tolosa and Azpeitia shortly before midnight. There were no injuries.

The explosions came 20 minutes after a telephone warning in the name of ETA was made to a Basque newspaper, giving police time to cordon off the area.

Small incendiary devices are often used in the almost nightly outbreaks of street violence in the Basque region.

But officials said Wednesday's bombs bore the hallmarks of ETA.

"(They) have caused significant material damage in both courts, although no one was hurt," said Javier Balza, the Basque regional government's security chief.

He added that police feared ETA was trying to pick up the pace of attacks.

Elections are due on May 13 for the Basque regional parliament. Five people have been killed in attacks blamed on ETA since mid-February.

Police have hit back, and in recent weeks have arrest dozens of suspected ETA members or supporters.

ETA is believed to be responsible for about 800 deaths in its 33 year campaign for an independent Basque region incorporating parts of northern Spain and south western France.

Of those, 29 have been killed since the group ended a 14-month ceasefire in December 1999.

Reuters contributed to this report.

ETA suspect arrested in France
March 23, 2001
Spain protests against killing
March 20, 2001
Spanish politician killed in bar
March 20, 2001
Spanish politician shot dead
March 20, 2001
Spanish crowds mourn bomb victim
March 19, 2001

Euskadi, Basque Country, Basque Government, Basque Autnomous Community

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.