Spanish police have reportedly foiled a plot by Eta terrorists to blow up a Brittany Ferries ship carrying British tourists.
The vessel Pont-Aven, which sails between Plymouth and Santander in northern Spain, was said to be one of three possible targets.
If the bomb had exploded at sea a major diaster could have occured on the vessel which carries up to 2,400 passengers and 183 crew, the Daily Telegraph reported.
A spokesman for the Spanish interior ministry told the newspaper that the ferry plot was foiled when police arrested a terrorist belonging to the Basque separatist group at Santander bus station on Tuesday. He was carried a rucksack containing a pistol, a detonator and false identity documents.
Among gear he and his girlfriend were carrying were details of targets in the city – the ferry, a law court and plaza.
Police said the couple were planning an imminent sttack and had been awaiting the delivery of a car bomb, according to the report.
Security checks were stepped up at the port of Santander yesterday including increased sniffer dog patrols.
by Phil Davies
