Three days of mourning have been announced by the president of the Balearic Government, Francesc Antich.
Everything at the points of entry and exit is more or less normal again. The airport was closed for only two hours, pressure being applied by tourism sources to get things back to normal as soon as possible. Alcúdia port was closed for a time, as were main roads in and out of the town with vehicles being subject to police checks.
There is concern for the impact on tourism, but it is being pointed out that other destinations – Egypt and Turkey – have suffered terrorist acts and not experienced any great harm to tourism. Indeed the attack in Mallorca is far less obviously aimed at tourism than those in these other countries.
The British Foreign Office has raised its advice in respect of travel to Spain to high risk, which seems like an over-reaction. Yes there may be a risk of a further attack, but once again one stresses that tourists are not in the firing-line.
A second explosion yesterday – a controlled one – occurred when a further bomb was discovered attached to a Guardia vehicle in Palmanova.
Six suspects named. Photos on http://www.diariodemallorca.es
The delegate for the Balearics to the central government has said that he believes that the bomber or bombers are still on the island. The interior ministry has not confirmed this.
“Rings of steel” imposed by the Guardia at the airport and ports, including Alcúdia, to check all movement of vehicles. Checks on ID etc. Demonstration involving 6000 people in Palmanova against the terrorists. Heavy traffic controls mainly directed at checking vans.
Studies of the second bomb suggest that it, like the killing bomb, was a “limpet”, i.e. magnetically attached. A conclusion is that this would have given the bombers ample chance to get away from the scene.
AlcudiaPollensa2 