Spanish and European officials mark the 20th anniversary of the Madrid train bombings in 2004
Spanish and European officials mark the 20th anniversary of the Madrid train bombings in 2004
FILE - Rescue workers cover bodies alongside a bomb-damaged passenger train, following a number of explosions in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday March 11, 2024 at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
A woman lights a candle at a memorial for the train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
FILE - Rescue workers line up bodies beside a bomb damaged passenger train at Atocha station following a number of explosions on trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, just three days before Spain’s general elections. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday March 11, 2024 at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks. (AP Photo/Denis Doyle, File)
Passengers embrace at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Flowers are placed at a memorial for the train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism after the Madrid train bombing on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Passengers wait for the train at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman prays after placing a flower at a memorial for the 2004 train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism after the Madrid train bombing on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman points to the name of a train bombing victim at a memorial inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
People queue to lay flowers at a memorial for the 2004 train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
FILE - Rescue workers cover bodies alongside a bomb-damaged passenger train, following a number of explosions in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday March 11, 2024 at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
FILE - Rescue workers cover bodies alongside a bomb-damaged passenger train, following a number of explosions in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday March 11, 2024 at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
A woman lights a candle at a memorial for the train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman lights a candle at a memorial for the train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
FILE - Rescue workers line up bodies beside a bomb damaged passenger train at Atocha station following a number of explosions on trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, just three days before Spain’s general elections. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday March 11, 2024 at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks. (AP Photo/Denis Doyle, File)
FILE - Rescue workers line up bodies beside a bomb damaged passenger train at Atocha station following a number of explosions on trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, just three days before Spain’s general elections. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday March 11, 2024 at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks. (AP Photo/Denis Doyle, File)
Passengers embrace at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Passengers embrace at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Flowers are placed at a memorial for the train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism after the Madrid train bombing on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Flowers are placed at a memorial for the train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism after the Madrid train bombing on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Passengers wait for the train at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Passengers wait for the train at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman prays after placing a flower at a memorial for the 2004 train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism after the Madrid train bombing on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman prays after placing a flower at a memorial for the 2004 train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain on Monday, March 11, 2024. March 11 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism after the Madrid train bombing on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman points to the name of a train bombing victim at a memorial inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A woman points to the name of a train bombing victim at a memorial inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
People queue to lay flowers at a memorial for the 2004 train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
People queue to lay flowers at a memorial for the 2004 train bombing victims inside Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 11, 2024. Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, Spain’s King Felipe VI said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s deadliest terror attack. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the train bombing in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004 that killed nearly 200 people. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
MADRID (AP) — Victims of terror attacks are a symbol of the constant need to guard freedom and the rule of law against threats, King Felipe VI of Spain said Monday at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of one of Europe’s deadliest extremist attacks.
“Remembering, just like justice and truth, is a commitment that cities make to terror victims, to restore and protect their dignity,” Felipe told officials attending the European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism.
The annual event was held this year in Madrid. March 11 was chosen as a day of continent-wide commemoration of terrorism victims after the commuter train bombings in the Spanish capital, which were carried out by Islamic extremists on March 11, 2004 and killed 193 people.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, senior European officials, and survivors and family members of victims from several European countries, were present.
“You paid the price for the hate aimed at our values, our societies, our democracies,” European home affairs commisioner Ylva Johansson told the survivors. “You are not alone.”
Sánchez compared memories of the Madrid attacks with others in New York, London and Paris.
“Whoever witnessed that extreme demonstration of violence (in Madrid) can never forget it,” he said.