Europe-wide manhunt for murderous van driver
A MANHUNT was under way across Europe last night for the man suspected of driving the white van that killed 13 and injured more than 130 people in the Barcelona attack.
Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, is thought to be the only member still on the run of a 12-strong Islamic State cell believed to be behind the attacks at Las Ramblas and Cambrils. Officers have released a mugshot of him.
Josep Lluis Trapero, chief of the Mossos d’Esquadra police force in Barcelona, said they did not believe the driver of the van had linked up with the rest of the cell in Cambrils after the massacre. La Vanguardia newspaper reported that he may have slipped into the Liceu station and then taken the Metro to Maria Cristina.
Detectives are investigating whether Abouyaaqoub carjacked driver Pau Perez, fatally stabbed him, and then stole his Ford Focus. The car was driven through a police checkpoint at Sant Just Desvern on Thursday evening, injuring a sergeant. Officers opened fire on the vehicle, and Perez’s body was found inside. Abouyaaqoub is believed to have fled on foot.
Moroccan Abouyaaqoub lives in the town of Ripoll, 65 miles north of Barcelona where Moussa Oukabir, who was shot by police in Cambrils, also lived.