'Massacre' avoided, says Real spokesman

Real Madrid spokesman Joaquin Maroto believes a ‘‘massacre’’ was only narrowly avoided when a car bomb exploded next to the Bernabeu this afternoon.

The blast, thought to be the work of Basque separatist group ETA, has injured at least nine people and threatened tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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

Damage was also caused to the Europa Tower, as high as the 22nd floor, and to the Real Madrid trophy room.

A second explosion, thought to be from the car used by the terrorists to escape the scene, was reported at around 5.30pm local time (4.30pm Irish time).

Maroto, who was driving nearby when the first bomb went off, believes that the consequences could have been far worse.

‘‘When it happened I was just passing in front of the Europa Tower when I felt a shockwave in my car,’’ he told Telemadrid.

‘‘I looked in the side mirror and I saw a column of smoke. I didn’t see many people on the pavement but if it had happened 50 metres closer it would have been a massacre.

‘‘We don’t know yet (if the match will be postponed). There haven’t been any deaths apart from the scare and this new attack on our country. If there haven’t been any personal losses we can continue.’’

Maroto said that the game would go ahead unless UEFA or the Spanish government decided otherwise.

UEFA have yet to comment but have confirmed that they would hold a security meeting in the next hour.

Municipal Police spokesman Gustavo Marugan announced that they had the situation under control.

‘‘What we are trying to do is normalise traffic in order to make it as safe as possible for the cars as well as the pedestrians,’’ he told CNN Spain.

‘‘The fire has been extinguished and in three quarters of an hour the traffic will be normalised.

‘‘We are more worried about the first explosion because the second one was of less magnitude, and because of the match that is going to be played tonight.’’

Barcelona spokesman Jose Miguel Teres, speaking from the Hotel Miguel Angel, said that they were not worried for their own safety but admitted that the game could be postponed.

‘‘If there are any changes, we will be notified,’’ he said.

‘‘The players are resting and the mood within the hotel is one of calmness. There are police cars outside the hotel.’’

If ETA are responsible it is thought to be the first time that they have targeted a sporting occasion.