Terrorists explode escape car in Madrid

The second explosion outside the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid is thought to be the destruction of the car used by the terrorists to escape the scene.

The explosion occurred at around 5.30pm local time (4.30pm Irish time), two kilometres south of the first site in Embajadores Street.

An earlier car bomb damaged the Europa Tower as high as the 22nd floor.

The bomb, concealed in a Renault 19, exploded in the nearby Paseo de la Castellana at 4.55pm local time (3.55pm Irish time).

No casualties have been reported yet.

The Bernabeu is the venue for tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The blast has cast doubts on whether the game will go ahead tonight.

UEFA have declined to comment but announced that they would hold a security meeting at 6pm Irish time.

Barcelona spokesman Jose Miguel Teres, speaking from the Hotel Miguel Angel said: ‘‘For the time being we haven’t got any news, we’re planning to travel in an hour and a half’s time to the stadium.

‘‘If there are any changes, we will be notified. The players are resting and the mood within the hotel is one of calmness. There are police cars outside the hotel.’’