On the crisp morning of March 11, 2004, Spain was irrevocably shaken by a series of devastating, nearly simultaneous explosions targeting Madrid's bustling Cercanías commuter train system. This horrific event, known profoundly in Spain as 11M, unfolded just three days before the nation was due to hold its general elections, casting an immediate and profound shadow over the country's democratic process.

The coordinated attacks left an unimaginable toll, claiming the lives of 193 innocent individuals and injuring approximately 2,000 more. It instantly became the deadliest terrorist attack in Spain's history and the most devastating in Europe since 1988, etching itself into the collective memory of the continent and serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace.

The Political Firestorm and Electoral Impact

In the immediate aftermath, a furious political storm erupted across Spain. The nation's two dominant political parties, the then-incumbent Partido Popular (PP) led by Prime Minister José María Aznar and the opposition Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), found themselves locked in a bitter struggle. Each accused the other of concealing or distorting crucial evidence for electoral gain, intensifying the already profound national grief. The timing was excruciatingly sensitive: the 2004 Spanish general elections were just around the corner.

Within hours of the bombings, the PP government, in a move that would prove deeply controversial, suggested that the Basque separatist group ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) was responsible. However, the opposition and a growing segment of the public quickly countered, alleging that the government was attempting to deflect attention from a potentially Islamist attack. Such an attack, they argued, could be perceived as a direct consequence of Spain's unpopular involvement in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq – a war entered without parliamentary approval and opposed by a significant portion of the Spanish populace.

The public's demand for "the truth" led to massive nationwide demonstrations, reflecting a deep societal unease. Many political analysts now widely believe that the Aznar administration's handling and initial portrayal of the Madrid train bombings, rather than the attacks themselves, ultimately led to their defeat in the general elections. Indeed, economic studies, such as those published by economist Jose G. Montalvo in The Review of Economics and Statistics, support the notion that the bombings profoundly swayed the electoral outcome, shifting power from the incumbent People's Party to the Socialist Party (PSOE) and dramatically altering Spain's political landscape.

The Investigation and Its Findings

The exhaustive official investigation by the Spanish judiciary ultimately concluded that the attacks were orchestrated by a group linked to Al-Qaeda in Iraq. This was purportedly in retaliation for Spain's role in the Iraq War, according to the official findings. While having no part in the planning or implementation, Spanish miners who sold the explosives to the terrorists were also apprehended as part of the extensive inquiry. Following 21 months of meticulous investigation, Judge Juan del Olmo presided over the trial of several individuals, including Moroccan national Jamal Zougam, for their participation in carrying out the attack. However, the September 2007 verdict notably established no single, identified mastermind and no direct, high-level Al-Qaeda link, leaving some questions lingering about the precise command structure behind the devastating Spain terrorist attack.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2004 Madrid Train Bombings

Q: What happened on 11 March 2004 in Madrid?

A: On the morning of March 11, 2004, a series of coordinated, nearly simultaneous terrorist bombings targeted Madrid's Cercanías commuter train system, just three days before Spain's general elections.

Q: How many people died in the Madrid bombings?

A: The attacks tragically killed 193 people and injured around 2,000, making it Spain's deadliest terrorist attack and the most severe in Europe since 1988.

Q: Who was responsible for the 2004 Madrid train bombings?

A: The official investigation by the Spanish judiciary found that the attacks were directed by a group linked to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, allegedly as a reaction to Spain's involvement in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Q: What was the political impact of the 11M attacks?

A: The handling and representation of the bombings by the then-incumbent government (Partido Popular) became highly controversial. Political analysts widely believe this contributed significantly to the government's defeat in the 2004 Spanish general elections, which took place three days after the attacks, shifting power to the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

Q: What does 11M refer to?

A: "11M" is a widely used neuronym in Spain for the 2004 Madrid train bombings, referencing the date March 11.