At least five prime suspects in the Madrid bombings were among the seven alleged terrorists who blew themselves up as police moved to arrest them earlier this month, officials said today.

Spain was plunged into further terror crisis today when a bomb was discovered on a high speed rail line near Madrid that was being used by hundreds of people heading on holiday.

A Tunisian being sought under an international arrest warrant is the leader of the Madrid railway bombers, according to court documents released today.