AT LEAST 13 DEAD, 100 INJURED AS TERROR STRIKES BARCELONA
AT LEAST 13 people have died and more than 100 have been injured after a van ploughed into pedestrians in a terror attack in a busy tourist area of Barcelona.
Police have arrested two people after a white Fiat van tore through the Las Ramblas district, which was packed with shoppers and holidaymakers. The vehicle careered into terrified pedestrians in the busy tree-lined promenade, one of the most popular parts of the city.
Local media said police were hunting a man named Driss Oukabir, who is suspected of having rented the van used in the attack. The passport of a Spanish citizen, of Moroccan origin, was found at the scene.
The identity of the arrested people is not clear.
There were also reports that detectives believe two vans were used, one for the attack and a second as a getaway vehicle.
Initial reports suggested suspects had been holed up in a city-centre bar surrounded by police, but authorities dismissed this, saying there was no-one in the bar.
The attack – the first major terrorrelated killing on Spanish soil since more than 190 people died in the Madrid train bombs in 2004 – brought widespread condemnation.
Prime Minister Theresa May said the “UK stands with Spain against terror”, and President Donald Trump said the “United States will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!”
Video captured by witnesses and circulating on social media showed the bloody aftermath of the incident.
Many victims, some bleeding heavily, were visible in one clip – lying amid piles of souvenirs apparently sent flying in the chaos.
Welsh ex-pat Robert Birch, from Blackwood, lives near the scene of the attack. The 27-year-old said he saw a police presence at the top of Las Ramblas “and then tourists and locals alike running in fright across my road”. He added: “I went down to find my girlfriend, who was meant to be arriving home. Her safety was my main priority.
“I then witnessed again a high police presence – around eight or so police cars, vans and motorcycles. When looking closer I saw that the police had arrested someone. And quickly they took the person away. In regards to the arrest I have no idea if it was linked or not but either way it was not your normal arrest.
“I would also like to say that the police have been doing a fantastic job of organising and helping locals and tourists alike.
“Originally at the top of Las Ramblas people seemed more confused and intrigued what was going on as the news had not been confirmed and a lot of tourists, I guess, had no mobile access. Then outside my house I saw a large swarm of tourists and locals alike running frightened down my street, shops and bars closing and helping people inside. By the time I got down it was a lot more organised and that’s when I took the video.”
Catalonia’s interior minister, Joaquim Forn, told reporters: “Unfortunately the number of fatalities will likely rise.”
And a spokesman from the Barcelona Civic Protection Office said: