Barcelona terrorist attack: 1 dead, 32 injured as van plows into pedestrians in tourist area
One person has died and more than 30 others have been injured in a “massive crash” involving a van in Barcelona’s city center, local police have confirmed. Authorities have called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
Catalan Police have confirmed that one person was killed and 32 other injured, 10 of them seriously. They said they were treating the incident as a terrorist attack.
Terrorism attack confirmed in #Barcelona
— Mossos (@mossos) August 17, 2017
Police say the crash occurred after the van jumped the sidewalk, AP reported.
Authorities are looking for the driver of the vehicle, who escaped on foot, according to El Nacional.
Live Now..
Suspected Terror Attacks In Barcelona Las Ramblas.. Car Drove Into Pedestrians.. #Barcelona #TerroristAttack #LasRamblas #Terror pic.twitter.com/jwIKblT48E— Dogan Peri (@DoganPeri) August 17, 2017
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has reported that one person has been arrested, citing police sources.
ÚLTIMA HORA
La Policía detiene a uno de los atacantes que perpetró el atentado en Barcelona (VIDEO) https://t.co/WrWltnUvLT pic.twitter.com/MbmAP7dFxa
— RT en Español (@ActualidadRT) August 17, 2017
The Spanish passport of a person of Moroccan origin was left at the scene of the attack, Barcelona’s TV3 reported. Media reports say the suspect behind the attack is a man by the name of Driss Oukabir
BREAKING: #Barcelona terrorist has been arrestedpic.twitter.com/O2RxIuJlVh
— Tennessee (@TEN_GOP) August 17, 2017
The vehicle used in the attack was a rented Fiat van. The perpetrators had also rented a second car with which they had planned to flee, according to La Vanguardia.
Police located the second van connected to the attack in the Catalan town of Vic, Reuters reported, citing local authorities.
The crash occurred on the famous La Rambla, a street popular with tourists visiting the city.
Estampida ahora mismo en El Corte Inglés de Plaza Catalunya en Barcelona pic.twitter.com/72LLRmJjRk
— Jordi Perez Colome (@jordipc) August 17, 2017
A person tweeted following the attack that they were stuck in a restaurant, adding that armed police are “everywhere.”
In La Rambla and I think a car or van has driven through the pedestrian part. Stuck in a restaurant atm. Armed coppers everywhere. pic.twitter.com/skguINRxCK
— Will (@Akolaar) August 17, 2017
Catalan Emergency Services tweeted that an incident occurred near Plaça Catalunya and advised people to avoid the area.
It said in a second tweet that the closure of rail stations in the area had been requested.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and shut down nearby stores. A helicopter is hovering above the scene.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he was in contact with authorities, stressing that the priority was to help the injured.
Total panic – we are all getting pushed back- la Ramblas pic.twitter.com/1MwYLfFZJc
— Aamer Anwar (@AamerAnwar) August 17, 2017
Photos posted on social media appeared to show emergency teams responding to victims.
Authorities have asked people to refrain from sharing pictures of those injured on social media, out of respect for the victims.
Ahora en Las Ramblas de Barcelona . Camión atropella a varias personas. pic.twitter.com/Vgm9gE9ekJ
— GANAR 05 Silvia 🇺🇸 (@SILVIPIRATA) August 17, 2017
Vehicles have been used to ram into crowds in Europe in a series of terrorist attacks since July 2016, when the driver of a truck plowed into people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, killing over 100 people. Similar attacks have since taken place in Berlin, London and Stockholm.
Police clearing people off #larambla in #barcelona pic.twitter.com/mvTekXgCxq
— McKenzie Tavoda (@hellokenzie_7) August 17, 2017
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