EU holds silent vigil for Spanish bomb victims

European Commission chief Romano Prodi will be leading a silent vigil in memory of the victims of three bomb blasts in Spain this morning.

The silent protest against the terrorist attacks which have claimed 173 lives so far is took place in the heart of the Brussels EU quarter at the rond point Schuman at 1pm.

US Ambassador to the EU Rockwell Schnabel also participated to express Washington's condoleances to the victims and the Spanish people.  

A series of simultaneous bomb blasts ripped through Madrid's three main railway stations at peak time as commuters were rushing to work.

The Spanish government, which faces national elections on Sunday, has already pointed to Basque separatist group Eta as the culprits.

Prodi expressed the EU's "deep grief at the bloody, ferocious and senseless attacks."

"This is not a political act...but a criminal act against defenceless people," he said.

"With the absolute horror of the attacks, words lose significance," Prodi added.

"All the peoples of Europe are now close to Spain in its grief and suffering."

"We are all victims of this attack."

Prodi telephoned Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar earlier today to offer the EU's assistance, including European civil protection, if required.

All EU and member state flags are to be flown at half mast in all European institutions and representations as a mark of respect to the victims.

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