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Barcelona terror attack: Police confirm deaths after van hits crowd in busy Las Ramblas area Barcelona terror attack: At least 13 dead after van drives into crowd in busy Las Ramblas area
(35 minutes later)
At least one person has died and dozens have been 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. At least 13 people have died and 50 have been 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.
Death tolls from the attack on an area popular with tourists vary considerably. While the authorities have confirmed a single death and said 32 are injured, Spanish radio said as many as 13 had died.   Catalan's interior minister confirmed the latest death toll from the attack on an area popular with tourists following various reports on the number of casualties. 
Two armed men were also reported to have entered a restaurant near the site of the crash. Catalan police have dismissed reports of hostages being held up in a bar in the city centre.  Two armed men were also reported to have entered a restaurant near the site of the crash. Catalan police have dismissed reports of hostages being held up in a bar in the city centre. 
Police confirmed they have arrested a man they are treating as a suspect in the attack.  Police confirmed they have arrested a man they are treating as a suspect in the attack. 
They have also released a pictures of the man who allegedly rented the van used in the attack. 
Spanish media have named him as Driss Oukabir, who is a described as a man in his twenties believed to be born in Morocco. 
A second van linked to the attack has been found in the small town of Vic about 69 kilometres away from Barcelona, authorities have said. A second van linked to the attack has been found in the small town of Vic about 69 kilometres away from Barcelona, authorities have said. 
Police say they have activated the protocols for a terror attack.  The protocols for a terror attack have been activated. 
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. 
The van entered the pedestrian street from Placa de Catalunya and reportedly zigzagged across the street before crashing into a kiosk on La Rambla. The van entered the pedestrian street from Placa de Catalunya and reportedly zigzagged across the street before crashing into a kiosk on La Rambla. 
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. 
People are being evacuated from Las Ramblas area as police have launched a manhunt. 
Emergency services are urging people to avoid 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. 
Ambulances and bomb disposal crews have gathered en masse at the scene.  Ambulances and bomb disposal crews had gathered en masse at the scene. 
Ethan Spidey, 25, told The Independent there was a “stampede” as tourists and locals sprinted away from the scene of the attack.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.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. “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."“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."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.Videos posted on social media shows dozens of people, seemingly injured, lying on the floor being cared for by emergency services.
Around them, the boulevard was deserted, covered in rubbish and abandoned objects including hats, flip-flops, bags and a pram.Around them, the boulevard was deserted, covered in rubbish and abandoned objects including hats, flip-flops, bags and a pram.
Hospitals in Barcelona have called for blood donations following the attack to avoid potential shortages. Hospitals in Barcelona have called for blood donations following the attack to avoid potential shortages. 
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."
The incident took place at the height of the tourist season with barcelona being one of Europe's top travel destinations with at least 11 million visitors a year. The incident took place at the height of the tourist season with Barcelona being one of Europe's top travel destinations with at least 11 million visitors a year.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in contact with the Spanish authorities and seeking more information following an incident in Barcelona.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.""Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the emergency services."
Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts were with the victims of the "terrible attack" in Barcelona, adding: "The UK stands with Spain against terror."  Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts were with the victims of the "terrible attack" in Barcelona, adding: "The UK stands with Spain against terror." 
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also described the events as "a barbaric terrorist attack" and said London stood in solidarity with Barcelona.  Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also described the events as "a barbaric terrorist attack" and said London stood in solidarity with Barcelona. 
He tweeted: "My thoughts are with the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack in the great city of Barcelona and with their brave emergency services. He tweeted: "My thoughts are with the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack in the great city of Barcelona and with their brave emergency services. 
"London stands with Barcelona against the evil of terrorism." "London stands with Barcelona against the evil of terrorism." 
Pictures of the van show a white Fiat vehicle with the logo of the rental company Telefurgo on its side. Spanish media reported the vehicle was rented from the nearby town of Santa Perpetua de la Mogada.
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.