In Madrid, a metropolis of over 3 million residents, 21 years in the past, everybody knew somebody affected by the tragedy of the Madrid bombings, whether or not killed, maimed, or in mourning for a buddy, colleague, or member of the family.
On Thursday, March 11, 2004, town fell essentially the most silent it has ever been in its historical past. On March 11, 2025, Madrid solemnly recalled the twenty first anniversary of the 11-M practice bombings, the deadliest terrorist assault within the historical past of Spain, which straight claimed 193 lives and injured virtually 2,000.
Commemorative ceremonies throughout Madrid paid homage to the victims underneath drizzly gray skies, reflecting the nation’s loss , but additionally its resilience.
Ceremonies started at 9am within the Puerta del Sol, the place the regional authorities hosted a poignant ceremony. Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso and Mayor of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida laid a wreath earlier than a plaque honouring the fallen and the emergency responders who went to their assist.
Memorial ceremonies held throughout Madrid in silence
At midday, the Bosque de El Recuerdo in Retiro park hosted a tribute by the Affiliation of Victims of Terrorism, attended by nationwide political figures and relations of victims. Additional homages adopted on the assault websites: Calle Téllez at 1.30, subsequent to the place one of many practice bombs exploded. As nicely at Santa Eugenia practice station at 6pm, and El Pozo within the Vallecas neighbourhood at 7pm, the place floral choices honoured the lives misplaced to the bombs.
Close by commuter cities like Coslada, Móstoles, and Alcalá de Henares, honoured their misplaced 27 residents by holding their very own memorials, together with a floral tribute at Coslada’s ‘La Espiral de La Templanza.’
Beneath persistently wet skies, Madrid’s acts of remembrance revealed that regardless of cut up opinions on how subsequent investigations have been dealt with, there was a collective dedication to dignity and justice, 21 years after tragedy struck its morning commute.
