Tourists urged to stay in Spain

Damaged cars were removed from the scene

Travel chiefs are urging British tourists not to abandon their holidays in Spain after a car bomb exploded at a busy coastal resort.

But despite their reassurances, there have been reports that a number of holidaymakers have returned home after the incident at the resort of Salou, on the Costa Dorada.

The bomb, planted by the Basque separatist group Eta, exploded outside a busy hotel.

A warning meant nearby buildings and hotels were evacuated in time, but 13 people, including a young British woman and an Irish tourist, suffered slight injuries.

We have had a good holiday and this is one of those one in a million things that probably won't happen again in our lifetime when we come away

UK tourist in Spain

The UK Foreign Office has urged tourists to be vigilant, saying that future bomb attacks may occur without warning.

But officials say they are not advising people to avoid travelling to Spain.

Frances Tuke, from the Association of British Travel Agents, said people should stay alert, but there was no need to cancel holidays.

And the Spanish tourism industry is also trying to reassure clients that it is business as usual.

More than 800 people were evacuated before the bomb went off at about 0600 GMT on Saturday outside the Cala Font hotel.

The blast damaged hotel windows and 15 vehicles parked near the Renault 25 containing the device.

'Not put off'

The crater made by the blast has been filled in and the hotel has reopened, although some rooms cannot be used because of the damage.

Some tourists have been offered alternative accommodation.

One British tourist told the BBC: "I don't think it would put us off.

Were there to be a further attack in a tourist area, the chances of some tourists being involved would be relatively high

UK Foreign Office

"We have had a good holiday and this is one of those one in a million things that probably won't happen again in our lifetime when we come away."

Eta have recently threatened to target tourist areas.

The UK Foreign Office says the chances of being caught up in such an attack are low.

"There is still a possibility of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," said a spokesman.

"Were there to be a further attack in a tourist area, the chances of some tourists being involved would be relatively high, given the several millions of foreign tourists in Spain during the summer."

Eta, whose name stands for Basque Homeland and Liberty, has killed 12 people so far this year, and about 800 during their 33-year campaign.