Early Thursday morning, a series of bombs exploded on commuter trains and at stations while people were on their way to work in Madrid, Spain. At least 190 people were killed and more than 1,400 are wounded. It was the worst terrorist attack in Spain's history.

Spain's Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, promised to find the people believed to be responsible. "We are targeting the total, complete and unconditional defeat of terrorism," Aznar said, after offering his sympathy to the families of the victims.

Who is Responsible?

At first many officials blamed the Spanish terrorist group, the ETA. Later in the day, a letter from the terrorist group al Qaeda, the group behind the September 11 attacks, claimed responsibility.

The ETA is a group from an area that lies in northern Spain called the Basque region. The ETA wants the Basque region to separate from Spain and become its own independent nation.

Al Qaeda is the terrorist group behind the September 11 attacks in the U.S. The letter from al Qaeda was delivered to a London-based Arabic newspaper. Officials have not been able to confirm if the letter is real.

The attacks came just days before Spain's general elections, which are scheduled for Sunday. Right now, Spain’s ruling Popular Party, which has been tough on the ETA, is leading in the polls.

The World Reacts

Leaders from countries across the world expressed their outrage. President George W. Bush called Aznar to express sympathy and said the U.S. would stand with "the people of Spain at this difficult moment." Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. stands "with Spain in the fight against terrorism in all its forms …"

Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, offered Britain's support, saying that the country stands "shoulder to shoulder," with Spain and was ready to help in any way needed.

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