While for most Harvard students the terrorist bombings in Madrid last week were mere headlines, for those who have lived or studied in Spain, they were every bit as devastating as the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The ten bombs that tore through 90 miles of commuter line during rush hour on the morning of March 11 have killed 202 people and wounded at least 1,200 others. Yesterday, Spanish police arrested five more suspects, making a total of 11 in custody for the bombings.

Zoie O. Watson ’05, who is currently studying at the University of Madrid, was in her apartment located several miles from the site of bombing when it happened.

“It has had more of an impact on me than Sept. 11,” Watson said. “Madrid is a city that I have come to call my own, and a city that I love.”

Sarah L. Thomas ’04, who studied in Madrid during fall 2002 and worked for Let’s Go Spain last summer, agreed.

“I felt a lot more personally involved in this because Madrid is the place that I have spent the most time in outside of Boston,” Thomas said. “It hit home much more than Sept. 11.”

Those contacted described having visceral reactions upon hearing about the bombing, recalling their own experiences with Spanish train stations.

“When I found out about the bombing, I was petrified, and I didn’t go outside all day,” Watson said. “I was in my apartment, but the night before I was a metro stop away from Atocha.”

Atocha, which was one of the primary bombing targets, is Madrid’s largest and most important train station.

“I was completely shocked. It was a block away from where I used to live in Madrid. My first two thoughts were about the people I know who are still there, and the elementary school that is on the same block” said Miranda E. Dugi ’05, who studied at the Universidad de Carlos III in Madrid last fall.

Sophie L. Gonick ’05, who studied in Madrid last fall and is also a Crimson editor, said that she was “frightened” and “horrified” upon hearing about the bombings.

“It was a very personal reaction because it is an area I know really well and that I passed through every single day,” Gonick said. “I really know that train station, and I can’t imagine being in that train station in an emergency.”

A SILVER LINING

Despite the devastation of the bombings, some said that they found a small glimmer of hope in the political shake up that followed the attacks.

“I am happy that the Left has now won the elections. That’s the only positive outcome I can see out of all of this,” Gonick said.