Britain on high alert after Spain attacks
Britain on Friday updated its travel advice for Spain after Thursday’s terrorist assault even as the vehicle-asweapon attack that claimed at least 14 lives in Barcelona resonated here, coming weeks after a similar attack at London Bridge on June 3.
It is holiday season in Europe, with most tourist attractions – including the popular Las Ramblas area of Barcelona – teeming with tourists. The incident was the latest in a series of attacks in Britain and Europe marked by the use of vehicles as weapons.
Security experts said it was almost impossible to prevent such attacks.
There were no reports of British casualties so far, but Prime Minister Theresa May said: “I am sickened by the senseless loss of life in Barcelona…Following the attacks in Manchester and London, Spain stood alongside the British people…Britain stands with Spain against the evil of terrorism.”
Spain not only attracts a large number of British citizens but is home to thousands of retired Britons and others who have settled there, using the freedom of movement principle allowed to citizens of member-states of the European Union.
The Foreign Office said more than 12 million Britons visit Spain every year, but its travel advice has been warning that “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain”. The advice was updated soon after Thursday’s attack in Barcelona.
It said: “If you’re in the immediate area you should take care and follow the advice of the local security authorities…If you’re caught up in an ongoing incident, turn any mobile phones or other devices to silent, and do not put your location on social media.”
The advice added, “If you are safe, follow the instructions of the Spanish authorities and notify friends and family via social networks, to avoid using phone lines.”
There have been four terror attacks in Britain this year, three of them using vehicles as weapons - Westminster Bridge (March 22, six killed), London Bridge (June 3, eight killed) and Finsbury Park (June 19, one killed).