Barcelona remembers Madrid train bombings 20 years on

On March 11, 2024, 20 years ago today, 193 people were killed in Madrid in a series of coordinated and simultaneous attacks on the Cercanias commuter train system in the Spanish capital.   

The attack, carried out by the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, was the deadliest in Spain's history and was considered "the worst act of terrorism" in Europe. In fact, Europe's International Day for Victims of Terrorism is commemorated on March 11 in honor of the Madrid attack.   

On Monday, Spain held many memorial services across the country. In Barcelona, Mayor Jaume Collboni led a minute of silence in Sant Jaume square to remember the victims of the attack.  

Victims and relatives of the victims also attended the ceremony, as well as victims of other terrorist attacks, such as the Hipercor bombing and the 2017 Barcelona attacks. 

"Your pain is our pain. We will not forget you. You will always be in our hearts," read one poster.