Madrid  - An apparent attempt by Basque separatist group ETA to murder a Basque police officials failed when explosives under his car failed to explode, officials said Tuesday.

The policeman drove 10 kilometres through the city of Bilbao without noticing the bomb, which was later discovered by the police auto workshop. It was unclear why the bomb did not explode.

Spanish interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said ETA had aimed to kill the official. (dpa)