Seven Spanish tourists were killed when a car exploded during their visit in the archaeological site in Yemen’s northeast province of Marib on Monday 2nd July 2007. The explosion occurred when the car with the tourists entered the gate of the ancient temple. The explosion also killed their two Yemeni guides and left a further six Spanish tourists injured. The tourists were from Basque Country and Catalonia.

The Yemeni government indicates Al Qaeda behind the incident after a series of attacks that have occurred during the last years resulting in the death of other tourists in which Al Qaeda claimed responsibility.

The Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero said that Marib terror attack would not harm the Yemeni-Spanish friendship ties as the Saba news agency reported.

Zapatero highlighted health care offered to the injured Spanish tourists in his phone call with the Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

President Saleh expressed sorrow and condemned for the terror act targeted Spanish tourists in Marib governorate.

“The terrorists who are behind the attack will not escape from justice,” said President Saleh expressing his deep condolences on behalf of the Yemeni people and government to Spain.