12:51pm UK, Friday May 30, 2003

Two policemen have been killed and a third badly injured in a car bomb attack in northern Spain.

The incident happened in Navarra province, an area bordering the troubled Basque region.

180 Spanish police ETA bomb blast cars spain

Police search for clues

Basque separatist group ETA, which has been fighting for an independent state, claimed responsibility.

The injured policeman was taken to a hospital in Navarra after losing both legs in the blast.

An initial investigation said the blast was caused by a bomb attached to the police van, anti-terrorist sources said.

One resident was taken to hospital to be treated for light leg wounds, while three others were treated for shock.

The explosion happened in the town square of Sanguesa, about 30 miles southeast of Pamplona.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar immediately cancelled a planned visit to St Petersburg where he was due to take part in the city's 300th anniversary celebrations.

Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said: "ETA has killed again."

He vowed to use "all means at our disposal" to fight the group.

More than 800 people have been killed in attacks blamed on ETA since the late 1960s.