King Felipe VI of Spain emphasized the importance of remembering terror attack victims as a symbol of the ongoing battle to safeguard freedom and the rule of law against threats. The remarks were made during a ceremony in Madrid commemorating the 20th anniversary of one of Europe's deadliest extremist attacks.
The European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism, an annual event, took place in Madrid this year. The date of March 11 holds significance as a day of remembrance for terrorism victims across the continent, following the tragic commuter train bombings in the Spanish capital in 2004. These attacks, carried out by Islamic extremists, claimed the lives of 193 individuals.
The ceremony was attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, along with senior European officials, survivors, and family members of victims from various European countries. European home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed solidarity with the survivors, acknowledging the sacrifices they made in the face of hatred directed towards fundamental values, societies, and democracies.
Prime Minister Sánchez drew parallels between the memories of the Madrid attacks and other acts of terrorism in cities like New York, London, and Paris. He highlighted the lasting impact of the violence witnessed in Madrid, emphasizing that those who experienced it would never forget the profound demonstration of extremism.
