15 killed in rail station blasts in Madrid

At least 15 people were killed and scores were injured when powerful explosions rocked several rail stations during the morning rush hour in Madrid today.

News reports said two bombs went off in a commuter train arriving at bustling Atocha station.

Blasts rocked two other stops on a commuter line leading to Atocha, the news agency Efe reported.

Spanish National Radio quoted witnesses as saying they saw people lying on the ground and train cars destroyed.

At least 15 were killed aboard a train on the line leading to Atocha, Efe said, quoting fire officials.

There was no claim of responsibility but police have been on high alert for Basque separatist violence ahead of general elections on Sunday.

Cesar Gomez, a Madrid rescue services official, said there was a “multitude” of injured at Atocha.

A woman who lives near the El Pozo station on the line leading to Atocha said: “The scene I am seeing is hellish. People running toward Atocha however they can”.

The woman said she saw a boy or young man on the ground who appeared to have died.

“I can see people inside the remains of the train,” the unidentified woman told Spanish national radio.

A reporter saw a woman with a bloodied face outside Atocha station. Medics were seen treating at least three people.

A man was taken away on a stretcher.

People living near the station said they heard at least two blasts.

Atocha is a huge complex with a subway station and both commuter and long-distance trains.

About an hour after the blasts, people who had gathered blocks from the Atocha station stampeded away, apparently fearing another bomb.