BARCELONA BLOODBATH
13 dead, 100 injured in Spanish terror attack Van ploughed into crowds in tourist hotspot
TERRORISTS in a speeding white van killed 13 people and left 100 others injured in a horror attack in Barcelona yesterday. They mowed down crowds of tourists on the city’s most famous street, Las Ramblas.
AT LEAST 13 people were killed and more than 100 hurt when terrorists drove a van into crowds in Barcelona’s tourist heartland.
One video of the aftermath showed 19 people – including children – lying critically wounded on the city’s famous tree-lined Las Ramblas street.
Terrified British holidaymakers took cover in shops and bars as the rented white Fiat zigzagged down centre of the pedestrian-only zone.
Witnesses said the motor raced along for 500metres mowing down everyone in its path, in an attack bearing chilling similarities to June’s London Bridge van and knife rampage which left eight dead.
At least two terrorists armed with rifles were said to have leapt out of the vehicle and fled on foot.
One man was killed later in a shootout with police after a white Ford Focus car smashed through a police checkpoint, injuring two officers.
Another suspect was arrested after a second van was found abandoned 40 miles away. Last night police ® warned that the death toll could rise. They said at least 15 of those hurt had suffered “grave” injuries.
It was not known if any Britons were casualties as police launched an international operation to trace the terrorists’ support network.
A Spanish passport was found in the killers’ van and photos were issued of Moroccan-born Driss Oukabir, who was suspected of hiring the vehicle.He was arrested but claimed his ID had been stolen.
The attack, which happened at 4pm yesterday, was initially reported as a “massive crash” but witnesses said counter-terror officers were on the scene within “30 seconds”.
The van entered the pedestrian zone at the junction of Las Ramblas and Placa Catalunya square and raced towards the port.
Eye-witness Lourdes Porcar saw it running people over. She said: “It was going very fast without caring about who was in the way.”
Jordi Lino, who was on a bus going down the road when the attack happened, said: “First I saw people running and then the van. There were injured people in the middle of the Ramblas.”
Student Marc Esparcia, 20, added: “There was a loud noise and everybody ran for cover.
“There were a lot people, lots of families. I think several people were hit. It was horrible. There was panic – terrible.”
Strictly Come Dancing star and former Holby City actress Laila Rouass, 46, dramatically tweeted about the horror as she was “hiding in a restaurant freezer” after being caught up in the attack.
The fiancée of snooker ace Ronnie O’Sullivan wrote: “Happened so fast. Praying for the safety of everyone here x.”
Later she added: “Gunshots just heard. Armed police running down the street looking for someone.”
Human rights lawyer Aymar Anwar, who had been attending a conference in the city, said: “I heard a crashing noise and the whole street just started to run screaming.
“I saw a lady next to me screaming for her kids.
“Within 30 seconds police vans, ambulances, police officers with guns were piling out.” Charity director
Ethan Spibey, who was on holiday with his boyfriend and hid in a church, said: “People just started running, screaming. There was kind of a mini stampede.”
Brit Susan McLean, who was 100 metres from the attack scene, said: “People ran screaming towards us, hysterical, children hysterical.
“We just ran into a shop. I lost my husband in the melee but all the shops were shuttered. They locked people inside and went into lockdown.
“There were hundreds of screaming people running away. They were just hysterical.”
Fellow Briton Steve Garrett, who was in a nearby market, took cover in a bakery along with other terrified tourists.
Steve said: “We ran into the bakery with four or five other people and ran straight upstairs and hunkered down while an enormous wave of people went through the market.
“Obviously, coming from England, it was reminding me a great deal of what happened in London, so we were very concerned about what might be going on next. A lady with us said she heard some gunshots.”
Lindsey Davidson, who had been in a shop changing room when customers began running out, said: “We went out of the shop and there were police everywhere, ambulances, fire engines, bomb disposal squads. They were directing people to go as far away from the area as they could.
“We saw people running, everyone running with their kids.”
It was the sixth time vehicles have been used in terror attacks in the past year following two atrocities in London and others in Nice, Berlin, and Stockholm.
The terror attack was Spain’s deadliest since the 2004 Madrid train bombings by Islamist militants which killed 191 people.
Spanish newspaper El Periodico said the CIA had warned local police two months ago that Las Ramblas could be a terror target. Barcelona is one of Europe’s top travel destinations attracting 11million visitors a year. Last night the city’s famous football club tweeted: “Sending strength and love to the victims, their families and the citizens of Barcelona.”
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Twitter: “The priority is to treat the wounded and aid the work of the security forces.”
Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted that Britain “stands with Spain against terror”, adding: “My thoughts are with the victims of today’s terrible attack in Barcelona.”
Donald Trump tweeted: “The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!”
London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “My thoughts are with the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the attack as “revolting” and French President Emmanuel Macron said: “We remain united and determined.”
Last night Islamic State claimed responsibility, according to the terror group’s news agency AMAQ.
I SAW A LADY NEXT TO ME SCREAMING FOR HER KIDS