Police in Portugal found a house which has been used by Basque separatist group Eta as a base from which to launch attacks.

Police spokesman Nelson dos Santos said the discovery came after two occupants of a stolen van containing material including detonators had fled from a police control near the central town of Obidos.

Dos Santos said a search of the area led to a house which police believe was used as a base by suspected Eta members Andoni Zengotitabengoa Fernandez and Oier Gomez Mielgo.

Two suspected members of Eta were arrested in Portugal on January 10 when they fled across the Spanish border after one had been stopped while driving a van loaded with explosives near a police barracks.

in Belfast Telegraph

MADRID, Spain - Spanish authorities say more than a ton of explosives was found at a house in central Portugal being used by Basque separatist group ETA as a base to launch attacks.

The figure given Saturday by Spain's Interior Ministry is three times greater than the one Portuguese police provided a day earlier.

The ministry said 1,500 kilograms (3,307 pounds) of explosives were found as well as computers, containers used by ETA for making car bombs and maps of the Spanish cities of Madrid, Cadiz and San Fernando.

Portuguese police said Friday that 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of explosives were found. It was not immediately possible to explain the discrepancy. Bomb disposal experts carried out at least two controlled explosions at the house Saturday.

in News957