ETA car bomb attack injures 43 in Madrid

A CAR bomb exploded near Madrid’s main convention centre yesterday, injuring 43 people, hours before Spanish and Mexican leaders were due there and after a warning from the Basque separatist group ETA.

The worst blast in the Spanish capital since last year's March 11 al-Qaida train bombings came before King Juan Carlos and Mexican President Vincente Fox were to open an art fair at the complex on the outskirts of the city.

Forty-three people were hurt, none seriously, including 24 taken to hospital, an emergencies official said. Six police officers were among the injured.