This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/17/van-crashes-into-crowd-of-people-barcelona-las-ramblas

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Las Ramblas attack: van hits crowd in tourist area of Barcelona Las Ramblas attack: van hits crowd in tourist area of Barcelona
(35 minutes later)
Up to 13 people are feared dead and dozens have been injured after a van crashed into a crowd of people in central Barcelona, as police confirmed that one suspected attacker has been arrested. At least 13 people are dead and dozens injured after a van crashed into a crowd of people in Barcelona’s Las Ramblas area.
Catalonia’s TV3 reported that 13 people had died and dozens were injured, but these numbers have not been confirmed by Spanish authorities. Catalan police have so far confirmed one death and said 32 people have been injured, 10 of them seriously. One suspect has been arrested after the crash, which was described as a terror attack by Spanish police.
Spanish police, who are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, said the “massive crash” happened on Las Ramblas in an area of the city popular with tourists. It was the latest attack in Europe to use a vehicle, following similar atrocities in Nice, Berlin and London that have claimed more than 100 lives in total.
This is the latest terrorist attack using a vehicle in Europe, following similar atrocities in Nice, Berlin and London that have claimed more than 100 lives in total. Television pictures showed people lying on the ground and a crashed van that had stopped on top of a Joan Míro mosaic halfway down Las Ramblas, an area popular with tourists.
Television pictures showed a crashed van stopped on top of a Joan Míro mosaic halfway down Las Ramblas. It reportedly entered the wide boulevard where it meets the Plaça de Catalunya, then drove towards the port area, meaning it would have covered more than 500 metres. It reportedly entered the wide boulevard where it meets the Plaça de Catalunya, then drove towards the port area, meaning it would have covered more than 500 metres.
A photograph released by the public broadcaster RTVE showed three people lying on the ground in the street, apparently being helped by police and others. Spanish police have identified one of the suspects as Driss Oukabir, who is alleged to have rented the white Fiat van used in the attack. It is not clear if he is the person who has been arrested.
In a tweet, Catalan police confirmed they were dealing with a terrorist attack: “The terrorist attack protocol has been activated.” He is understood to be from North Africa but to possess a NIE, the identity document issued to foreigners who are resident in Spain.
Spanish media reported that the Guardia Civil have identified the suspect thought to have hired the white Fiat van used in the attack. According to those reports, he is understood to be from north Africa but to possess a NIE, the identity document issued to foreigners who are resident in Spain. The van was hired in the municipality of Santa Perpetua de la Mogada, about 25km from the centre of Barcelona.
There were separate reports that a suspect had been arrested, but it was not clear whether this referred to the same person.
A second van linked to the attack – assumed to have been used as getaway car – has been found in the small town of Vic in Catalonia.A second van linked to the attack – assumed to have been used as getaway car – has been found in the small town of Vic in Catalonia.
The Catalan interior minister put the death toll at 13, with 50 injured. Another official said 80 people had been taken to hospital.
The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, cancelled his holiday in Galicia, north-west Spain, to return to Madrid. The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, and the mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, also cancelled their holidays and were returning to the city. The Catalan vice-president, Oriol Junqueras, said the regional government would hold an urgent meeting.The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, cancelled his holiday in Galicia, north-west Spain, to return to Madrid. The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, and the mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, also cancelled their holidays and were returning to the city. The Catalan vice-president, Oriol Junqueras, said the regional government would hold an urgent meeting.
Puigdemont has called for “maximum caution” in the wake of the attack. He added that “all the attention” should be on the victims of the attack.Puigdemont has called for “maximum caution” in the wake of the attack. He added that “all the attention” should be on the victims of the attack.
According to early reports, the vehicle sped down the centre of the 1km-long road, which is usually packed with people, until it hit a newspaper kiosk and stopped.According to early reports, the vehicle sped down the centre of the 1km-long road, which is usually packed with people, until it hit a newspaper kiosk and stopped.
Witnesses spoke of panic and seeing people covered in blood. Several pushchairs could be seen abandoned at the side of the street.Witnesses spoke of panic and seeing people covered in blood. Several pushchairs could be seen abandoned at the side of the street.
Jordi Lino, who was on a bus going down Las Ramblas, said: “First I saw people running and then the van. There were injured people in the middle of the Ramblas.”Jordi Lino, who was on a bus going down Las Ramblas, said: “First I saw people running and then the van. There were injured people in the middle of the Ramblas.”
Lourdes Porcar told TV3 she saw the van running people over. “It was going very fast, without caring about who was in its way,” she said.Lourdes Porcar told TV3 she saw the van running people over. “It was going very fast, without caring about who was in its way,” she said.
TV3 said police sources had confirmed to it that one armed man was holed up in a Turkish restaurant near Las Ramblas and the Boqueria market. Police discounted reports that an armed man was holed up in a Turkish restaurant near Las Ramblas. People were advised to follow official sources for updates.
But Catalan police said reports of gunfire in the Corte Inglés department store were untrue. They were advising people to follow official sources for updates.
Metro stations and shops close to site of the crash were closed.Metro stations and shops close to site of the crash were closed.
The spokeswoman for a chain of 10 restaurants in the area said that about 600 people were stuck inside their establishments waiting for permission from the police to leave.The spokeswoman for a chain of 10 restaurants in the area said that about 600 people were stuck inside their establishments waiting for permission from the police to leave.
The Spanish newspaper El País, citing police sources, said the driver of the vehicle fled on foot.
Catalan emergency services said people should stay away from the area around Plaça de Catalunya. Police have also asked people to communicate via social media and messaging instead of phone calls, as mobile telephone coverage is saturated.Catalan emergency services said people should stay away from the area around Plaça de Catalunya. Police have also asked people to communicate via social media and messaging instead of phone calls, as mobile telephone coverage is saturated.
Mobile phone footage shows panicked, screaming tourists fleeing through the narrow streets beside Las Ramblas.Mobile phone footage shows panicked, screaming tourists fleeing through the narrow streets beside Las Ramblas.
TV3 said there were unconfirmed reports that a second van was following the first but then drove off.
Las Ramblas, a street of stalls and shops that cuts through the centre of Barcelona, is one of the city’s top tourist destinations. People walk down a wide, pedestrianised path in the centre of the street, but cars can travel on either side.Las Ramblas, a street of stalls and shops that cuts through the centre of Barcelona, is one of the city’s top tourist destinations. People walk down a wide, pedestrianised path in the centre of the street, but cars can travel on either side.
Spain has so far been spared the kind of extremist violence that has occurred recently in France, Belgium and Germany, but it was hit by what is still Europe’s deadliest jihadi attack in March 2004, when bombs exploded on commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people in an attack claimed by al-Qaida-inspired extremists.Spain has so far been spared the kind of extremist violence that has occurred recently in France, Belgium and Germany, but it was hit by what is still Europe’s deadliest jihadi attack in March 2004, when bombs exploded on commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people in an attack claimed by al-Qaida-inspired extremists.
Terrorists have turned vehicles into weapons in France, Germany and the UK in the last year. Last July, 86 people were killed in Nice when a 19-ton truck mowed down people on the beach promenade. A Christmas market in Berlin was the scene of a similar atrocity in December, when 12 people were killed by a truck packed with steel. While, in London a speeding van hit pedestrians before attackers launched a knife attack in cafes and restaurants at Borough market in June. Eight people died in the attack, while at least 48 were wounded.Terrorists have turned vehicles into weapons in France, Germany and the UK in the last year. Last July, 86 people were killed in Nice when a 19-ton truck mowed down people on the beach promenade. A Christmas market in Berlin was the scene of a similar atrocity in December, when 12 people were killed by a truck packed with steel. While, in London a speeding van hit pedestrians before attackers launched a knife attack in cafes and restaurants at Borough market in June. Eight people died in the attack, while at least 48 were wounded.
As details of the attack emerged, world leaders offered condolences. “It is with profound sorrow and anguish that I have learnt of the terrorist attack that has struck at the heart of Barcelona this afternoon,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission. “I hold a special thought for the heroic people who responded by running towards danger to help others and to the security forces who are working to keep the population safe. The commission is at the full disposal of the authorities for any help or assistance necessary.”As details of the attack emerged, world leaders offered condolences. “It is with profound sorrow and anguish that I have learnt of the terrorist attack that has struck at the heart of Barcelona this afternoon,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission. “I hold a special thought for the heroic people who responded by running towards danger to help others and to the security forces who are working to keep the population safe. The commission is at the full disposal of the authorities for any help or assistance necessary.”
British prime minister Theresa May said: “My thoughts are with the victims of today’s terrible attack in Barcelona and the emergency services responding to this ongoing incident. The UK stands with Spain against terror.”
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said his country stood by to help, adding that allies were resolved “to find terrorists around the world” and bring them to justice.US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said his country stood by to help, adding that allies were resolved “to find terrorists around the world” and bring them to justice.