This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/barcelona-attack-las-ramblas-van-shooting-victims-injured-spain-city-centre-a7898681.html

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Barcelona terror attack: Van drives into crowd of people in central Las Ramblas area Barcelona terror attack: Van drives into crowd of people in central Las Ramblas area
(35 minutes later)
Police said people had died after a van ploughed into a crowd of people in Las Ramblas area of Barcelona, in what police say was a terror attack.  At least 13 people are feared to have died and more injured after a white van ploughed into a crowd of people in Las Ramblas area of Barcelona, in what Catalan police say is a potentially ongoing terrorist attack.
Spanish media reported at least two people have died but police have not yet confirmed the number of casualties.  Death tolls from the attack on an area popular with tourists vary. While the authorities are yet to confirm a number, they say there have been multiple fatalities.  
Spanish media and news agencies said two armed men had entered a restaurant near the site of the crash and witnesses said the men had taken hostages, though that was not confirmed by authorities. Police are due to hold a press conference on the latest developments. 
Authorities said the vehicle mounted a pavement and struck people in a "massive crash" in an area of the city that is popular with tourists. Authorities said the vehicle mounted a pavement and struck people in a "massive crash" in an area of the city that is popular with tourists. 
El Periodico newspaper reported there were between 20 and 25 people injured, citing police sources. El Periodico newspaper reported there were between 20 and 25 people injured, citing police sources. 
The El Pais newspaper reported that the driver of the vehicle had fled on foot and that police are looking for a man about 1.70 metres tall, wearing a white and blue stripped shirt.  Police say they have activated the protocols for a terror attack. 
Two armed men have reportedly barricaded themselves in a restaurant in the city centre. One witness told The Independent he had heard a hostage situation was unfolding.  The El Pais newspaper reported that the driver of the vehicle had fled on foot and that police are still looking for a man about 1.70 metres tall, wearing a white and blue stripped shirt. 
An armed police operation is underway but it is unclear whether those men were involved in the crash. 
The van entered the pedestrian street from Placa de Catalunya and crashed into a kiosk on La Rambla. The van entered the pedestrian street from Placa de Catalunya and crashed into a kiosk on La Rambla. 
Emergency services said people should not go to the area and requested the closure of nearby train and metro stations.  Emergency services are urging people to avoid the area and requested the closure of nearby train and metro stations. 
Daniela Goicoechea, who was walking along La Rambla with three children aged one, two and five, told The Independent: "People started running but we didn't know what was happening. There was a lot of people running. Then policemen began chasing people. We were lost, we ran with three babies and hid in a cafe nearby."  Ambulances and bomb disposal crews have gathered en masse at the scene. 
Videos of the scene posted on social media show people screaming as they run away from Las Ramblas district.  Ethan Spidey, 25, told The Independent there was a “stampede” as tourists and locals sprinted away from the scene of the attack.
He said: “I was with my boyfriend just about to cross Las Ramblas and all of a sudden there was an immediate stampede and police shouting at people to run.
“I saw a young child knocked over and picked them up but everyone was just running. 
“There was a stampede in the streets alongside Las Ramblas as everyone tried to run away. People were running into shops and taking refuge in cafes. There was a lot of screaming."
Daniela Goicoechea, who was walking along La Rambla with three children aged one, two and five, told The Independent: "People started running but we didn't know what was happening. There was a lot of people running. Then policemen began chasing people. We were lost, we ran with three babies and hid in a cafe nearby."
Videos posted on social media shows dozens of people, seemingly injured, lying on the floor being cared for by emergency services.
Aamer Anwar was walking down Las Ramblas at the time, which he said was "jam-packed" with tourists.Aamer Anwar was walking down Las Ramblas at the time, which he said was "jam-packed" with tourists.
He told Sky News: "All of a sudden, I just sort of heard a crashing noise and the whole street just started to run, screaming. I saw a woman right next to me screaming for her kids.He told Sky News: "All of a sudden, I just sort of heard a crashing noise and the whole street just started to run, screaming. I saw a woman right next to me screaming for her kids.
"Police were very, very quickly there, police officers with guns, batons, everywhere. Then the whole street started getting pushed back.""Police were very, very quickly there, police officers with guns, batons, everywhere. Then the whole street started getting pushed back."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in contact with the Spanish authorities and seeking more information following an incident in Barcelona.
"Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the emergency services."
Pictures of the van show a white vehicle with the logo of the rental company Telefurgo on its side. Pictures of the van show a white vehicle with the logo of the rental company Telefurgo on its side. 
While full details of the incident were not immediately clear, since July 2016 vehicles have been used to ram into crowds in a series of militant attacks across Europe, killing well over 100 people in Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm.While full details of the incident were not immediately clear, since July 2016 vehicles have been used to ram into crowds in a series of militant attacks across Europe, killing well over 100 people in Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm.
There have been no previous terror attacks claimed by Isis in Spain, where almost 200 people were killed by al-Qaeda inspired terrorists in the Madrid bombings in 2004.There have been no previous terror attacks claimed by Isis in Spain, where almost 200 people were killed by al-Qaeda inspired terrorists in the Madrid bombings in 2004.
Spanish police have arrested several suspected Isis supporters in recent years, including a suspected recruiter detained on Mallorca who was accused of inciting terror attacks.Spanish police have arrested several suspected Isis supporters in recent years, including a suspected recruiter detained on Mallorca who was accused of inciting terror attacks.
The terrorist group has issued repeated calls for followers to attack "disbelievers" in the West, including detailed guidance on how to carry out vehicle attacks in high-profile public places.The terrorist group has issued repeated calls for followers to attack "disbelievers" in the West, including detailed guidance on how to carry out vehicle attacks in high-profile public places.
More follows…