Blast gives Basque 'safe house' away

MADRID - At least two of the suspected Basque separatist rebels who fled their hideout after an explosion yesterday were under…

MADRID - At least two of the suspected Basque separatist rebels who fled their hideout after an explosion yesterday were under investigation for possible links to a killing that caused a national outcry, state radio reported.

The explosion in the Durango apartment led to the discovery of a guerrilla "safe house" packed with weapons, bomb parts and detonators, authorities said. The blast was believed to have been caused by a grenade that went off by accident. In the first sign of progress in the search for the killers of the politician, Miguel Angel Blanco, state radio cited unnamed sources saying the suspects were among four being sought following the blast.

The two fugitives had been under scrutiny for possible involvement in Blanco's kidnapping last Thursday as well his murder last weekend, the radio station reported. - (Reuter)