According to officials, an explosive envelope was delivered to the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, and similar explosive letters have recently been delivered to several locations throughout Spain.
Two American officials stated on Thursday that an explosive package left at the entrance to the American embassy in Madrid was detonated safely and without incident.
Similar explosive letters have recently been delivered to several locations throughout Spain, including the Spanish Defense Ministry.
“We can confirm a suspicious package was received at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and are aware of reports of other packages sent to additional locations throughout Spain,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We will continue to evaluate the security situation and provide updates as appropriate.”
The parcel “contained substances similar to those used in pyrotechnics,” according to police in Spain.
The American Citizen Services section of the embassy is still open.
Earlier this week, a package was sent to the Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid, injuring a security officer, and to an arms company in Spain that manufactures rocket launchers donated to Ukraine. Serhii Pohoreltsev, the Ukrainian ambassador to Spain, was named on the package that was delivered to the embassy. When the parcel caught fire, the officer was hurt. He returned to work after receiving treatment for minor hand injuries.
Spanish police said they are investigating whether the two packages are linked.
As a response, Ukraine sent orders for all of Kyiv’s foreign embassies to beef up security.
In a statement that was translated, the Russian Embassy in Spain condemned the attacks. “Any threat or terrorist act, even more directed against at diplomatic missions, are totally reprehensible,” the statement said.
The package delivered to the embassy was discovered at a security checkpoint, according to the Interior Ministry, which oversees Spain’s police forces, and it had “similar characteristics to the previous ones.” Authorities cordoned off a sizable area around the structure before detonating it.
Investigators have not determined who is responsible.