In a major security lapse, Spanish police stopped the Volkswagen car carrying the explosives used in the March 11 terrorist attacks in Madrid, in which 189 people were killed, but let it continue on its way, the Times, London, said quoting a report on Monday.

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Three or four of the terrorists were in the car with 110kg of dynamite, it said, adding that the explosives were loaded into sports bags and left on four trains in the morning rush hour.

The terrorists were returning from Asturias, where one José Emilio Suárez Trashorras supplied them with the explosives.

The stolen vehicle was loaded with the explosives in the town of Avilés in the last week of February. It was returning to Madrid when two Civil Guards pulled it over between the towns of León and Benavente, it said quoting from El País newspaper.

The patrol booked them for a minor traffic offence and checked the car's numberplate with its central control. As the car had not been reported stolen, it was allowed to go.

Police investigator have recovered the car and found traces of explosives.