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Barcelona attack: 13 confirmed dead after van hits Las Ramblas crowds – latest updates Barcelona attack: 13 confirmed dead after van hits Las Ramblas crowds – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
10.22pm BST
22:22
Neither of the two detained suspects was the driver of the van that crashed into pedestrians in Barcelona, police have said.
Josep Lluis Trapero, a senior police officer, said the two suspects in custody were directly linked to the attack, “but that doesn’t mean that either were the author of the attack”.
The whereabouts of the driver of the van was unclear.
The two suspects in custody are a Spanish national from Melilla and a Moroccan.
10.14pm BST
22:14
Stephen Burgen
Catalonian police are now connecting the Las Ramblas van attack with an explosion this morning in Alcanar, a small town in Tarragona about 100km south of Barcelona, in which one person died and several injured, which was reported earlier as a gas explosion
The explosion happened in a house, a Catalan police official said.
10.05pm BST
22:05
My colleagues, Stephen Burgen in Barcelona, Giles Tremlett in Madrid and Ian Cobain in London, have spoken to a number of witnesses.
Tom Markwell, from New Orleans, had just arrived in a taxi when he heard the screaming. “It sounded like they were screaming for a movie star,” he said. “Then I saw the van. It had already been busted on the front. It was weaving left and right, trying to hit people as fast as possible. There were people lying on the ground.”
Liam Searle said: “I was very, very close to it. It was like 10ft from me. I luckily wasn’t on the Ramblas, I was in the road, and I quickly ran into, I think it was the opera house, along with everyone else.
“Everyone was hiding behind things. And no one had a clue what was going on. We just heard a load of bangs and some other things and then, like, everyone just ran.”
Read more here:
Updated
at 10.09pm BST
10.00pm BST
22:00
Reports have emerged suggesting that Driss Oukabir had handed himself into police after seeing his photograph being circulated online and in the media.
He apparently told officers that his identification documents had been stolen before the attack and that he had played no part in it.
There is no official confirmation on this from the authorities, however.
9.52pm BST
21:52
Theresa May has released a longer statement, saying the Foreign Office is in close contact with the authorities in Spain.
I am sickened by the senseless loss of life in Barcelona today.
The Foreign Office is working to establish if any British nationals were involved in this appalling incident and we are in close contact with the authorities in Spain, who have our full support.
Following the attacks in Manchester and London, Spain stood alongside the British people. Tonight, Britain stands with Spain against the evil of terrorism.
Updated
at 9.57pm BST
9.48pm BST
21:48
Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan president, has declared three days of mourning for the region. He said:
Catalonia has been, and will be, a land of peace. A place of welcome. And we will not let a minority end our way of being that has been forged over centuries.
Tomorrow at noon people will gather in Plaça de Catalunya for a minute’s silence.
Updated
at 9.57pm BST
9.38pm BST9.38pm BST
21:3821:38
If you’ve been affected by the terror attack in Barcelona, you can share your experiences with us.If you’ve been affected by the terror attack in Barcelona, you can share your experiences with us.
You can share your eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips in the aricle below. You can also share your stories, photos and videos with the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.You can share your eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips in the aricle below. You can also share your stories, photos and videos with the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.
We’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting.We’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting.
Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content and follow the advice of local authoritiePlease think about your security first when recording and sharing your content and follow the advice of local authoritie
9.27pm BST9.27pm BST
21:2721:27
Sam JonesSam Jones
My colleague, Sam Jones, has this on the only named suspect:My colleague, Sam Jones, has this on the only named suspect:
Within hours of the attack in Barcelona, Spanish police had begun investigating Driss Oukabir, a 28-year-old man who was born in Morocco. He is thought to be the first person arrested in connection with the atrocity.Within hours of the attack in Barcelona, Spanish police had begun investigating Driss Oukabir, a 28-year-old man who was born in Morocco. He is thought to be the first person arrested in connection with the atrocity.
Reports suggested that Oukabir hired the white Fiat van used in the attack from a rental company in a town around 25km (15 miles) from the centre of Barcelona.Reports suggested that Oukabir hired the white Fiat van used in the attack from a rental company in a town around 25km (15 miles) from the centre of Barcelona.
According to Oukabir’s Facebook page, which was later taken down, he had lived in the French city of Marseilles but moved to the Catalonian town of Ripoll. Police sources said that he has a NIE – the identity card issued to foreigners who live in Spain.According to Oukabir’s Facebook page, which was later taken down, he had lived in the French city of Marseilles but moved to the Catalonian town of Ripoll. Police sources said that he has a NIE – the identity card issued to foreigners who live in Spain.
The Spanish newspaper ABC reported that although a warrant had been issued for his arrest over allegations of domestic abuse, police did not suspect him of any jihadi activity. El País said he had spent time in prison in Figueres, Catalonia, and had been released in 2012.The Spanish newspaper ABC reported that although a warrant had been issued for his arrest over allegations of domestic abuse, police did not suspect him of any jihadi activity. El País said he had spent time in prison in Figueres, Catalonia, and had been released in 2012.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.35pm BSTat 9.35pm BST
9.22pm BST9.22pm BST
21:2221:22
The number of those seriously injured in the van attack has risen to 15, according to Catalonian police. The Press Association is reporting that more than 80 people have been injured. The total number of fatalities remains at 13.The number of those seriously injured in the van attack has risen to 15, according to Catalonian police. The Press Association is reporting that more than 80 people have been injured. The total number of fatalities remains at 13.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.35pm BSTat 9.35pm BST
9.18pm BST9.18pm BST
21:1821:18
A Belgian national is among the deadA Belgian national is among the dead
One of the victims of the attack is a Belgian national, Belgium’s deputy prime minister Didier Reynders confirmed on Twitter.One of the victims of the attack is a Belgian national, Belgium’s deputy prime minister Didier Reynders confirmed on Twitter.
Helaas betreuren wij een Belgisch slachtoffer in #Barcelona. Ik bied de familie en de naasten mijn deelneming aan.Helaas betreuren wij een Belgisch slachtoffer in #Barcelona. Ik bied de familie en de naasten mijn deelneming aan.
9.03pm BST9.03pm BST
21:0321:03
Prominent lawyer and University of Glasgow rector Aamer Anwar was walking in Las Ramblas when he heard a crashing noise followed by screaming.Prominent lawyer and University of Glasgow rector Aamer Anwar was walking in Las Ramblas when he heard a crashing noise followed by screaming.
He said the police were very quickly on the scene following the attack.He said the police were very quickly on the scene following the attack.
Anwar said:Anwar said:
I had been to the cathedral and was walking down Las Ramblas for something to eat. Part of it was in the shade so I decided to keep walking down and literally within 10 seconds there was a crashing noise. I turned around and people were screaming. I could see a woman screaming with her kids. People started running and jumping into shops. I ran for about 50 or 100 metres and stopped to see what was happening.I had been to the cathedral and was walking down Las Ramblas for something to eat. Part of it was in the shade so I decided to keep walking down and literally within 10 seconds there was a crashing noise. I turned around and people were screaming. I could see a woman screaming with her kids. People started running and jumping into shops. I ran for about 50 or 100 metres and stopped to see what was happening.
The police were very quickly on the scene and getting people to move back. I could see chaos right at the top area and I spoke to a shopkeeper who had run down and was screaming. He was Bengali so I spoke to him in Urdu and he said a van had driven into a crowd and he thought there were five to six people very seriously injured.The police were very quickly on the scene and getting people to move back. I could see chaos right at the top area and I spoke to a shopkeeper who had run down and was screaming. He was Bengali so I spoke to him in Urdu and he said a van had driven into a crowd and he thought there were five to six people very seriously injured.
[The police] seemed to be looking for someone. They were going very carefully, very cautiously, stall to stall.[The police] seemed to be looking for someone. They were going very carefully, very cautiously, stall to stall.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.35pm BSTat 9.35pm BST
8.51pm BST8.51pm BST
20:5120:51
A second van linked to the attack has been found in the small town of Vic in Catalonia, authorities there have said.A second van linked to the attack has been found in the small town of Vic in Catalonia, authorities there have said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.36pm BSTat 9.36pm BST
8.44pm BST8.44pm BST
20:4420:44
Islamic State claims responsibilityIslamic State claims responsibility
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Barcelona attack, the group’s Amaq propaganda news agency said.Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Barcelona attack, the group’s Amaq propaganda news agency said.
“The perpetrators of the Barcelona attack are soldiers of the Islamic State and carried out the operation in response to calls for targeting coalition states,” the agency said, referring to a United States-led coalition against the Sunni militant group.“The perpetrators of the Barcelona attack are soldiers of the Islamic State and carried out the operation in response to calls for targeting coalition states,” the agency said, referring to a United States-led coalition against the Sunni militant group.
Isis claims of responsibility are unreliable, and do not necessarily indicate a direct connection between the attacker or attackers and the terror group.Isis claims of responsibility are unreliable, and do not necessarily indicate a direct connection between the attacker or attackers and the terror group.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.48pm BSTat 8.48pm BST
8.43pm BST
20:43
Stephen Burgen
The centre of Barcelona remains in lockdown. Crowds of onlookers have gathered at the police tapes that cordon off a large area of the city around Las Ramblas and Plaça de Catalunya.
But most residents have stayed at home, busy checking up on friends and family. Aside from the clatter of a helicopter overhead the streets of this normally lively and noisy city are empty.
Rebeca, who works in the Hotel Lloret, said:
It’s tragic, I saw people on the ground who had been run over and other people running and crying. The van drove down the centre running over everyone. We can’t go out now and our guests are scared and crying because they don’t know where their relatives are.
Albert Tort, 47, a nurse who lives in Las Ramblas, said he witnessed the attack.
The police wouldn’t let me through until I identified myself as a health worker. What I saw was a total disaster. I saw at least six people dead and I tried to revive a young man but it was impossible.
Ellen Vercamm, who is on holiday in the city, said:
We were just outside the Hard Rock Café on our way to the Rambla when we saw a white van crashing into people. It threw people into the air.
Meanwhile Felipe VI, the Spanish king, tweeted: “All of Spain is Barcelona. Las Ramblas will be for everyone once again.”
Updated
at 9.38pm BST
8.37pm BST
20:37
Two people have been arrested
Catalonia’s regional president, Carles Puigdemont, says there have been two arrests after Barcelona van attack.
Updated
at 9.38pm BST
8.35pm BST
20:35
8.23pm BST
20:23
Julian Borger
Donald Trump responded to the Barcelona attack by reviving an already debunked anecdote about a US general dipping bullets in pig’s blood to fight Islamic militants over a hundred years ago.
After a relatively conventional response to the attack in which he went on to Twitter to call on the people of Barcelona to be “tough and strong” and offer US help, he posted another, more cryptic tweet 45 minutes later saying: “Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught. There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!”
Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught. There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!
The tweet echoed a highly dubious claim Trump made at an election rally in South Carolina in February 2016, in which he talked admiringly about a counter-insurgency in the Philippines conducted by General John Pershing between 1909 and 1913, when he was governor of Moro province.
He said at the rally:
They were having terrorism problems, just like we do. And he caught 50 terrorists who did tremendous damage and killed many people. And he took the 50 terrorists, and he took 50 men and he dipped 50 bullets in pigs’ blood — you heard that, right? He took 50 bullets, and he dipped them in pigs’ blood. And he had his men load his rifles, and he lined up the 50 people, and they shot 49 of those people. And the 50th person, he said: You go back to your people, and you tell them what happened. And for 25 years, there wasn’t a problem. Okay? Twenty-five years, there wasn’t a problem.
This account of Pershing’s actions has circulated on the internet since 2001, but US historians say there is very little if any evidence to support it.
Updated
at 9.39pm BST
8.16pm BST
20:16
What we know so far about the Las Ramblas terror attack
A white Fiat van was deliberately driven into pedestrians on one of Barcelona’s most popular boulevards late on Thursday afternoon, killing 13 people in what Spanish police called a “terrorist attack”.
Thirteen people have been killed, and at least 50 injured, Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn has confirmed.
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.
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 which is very popular with tourists.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as hundreds of people tried to flee.
Around 80 people sheltered in a church near the incident, while others hid in shops and restaurants.
Police in the Spanish region of Catalonia where Barcelona is located said on Twitter they have arrested one man.
Spanish police have released a photograph of the man alleged to have rented the van used in the attack. He is identified as Driss Oukabir.
Initially there were reports that one suspect had fled to a nearby bar, but this was later denied.
One witness told Spain’s TVE television he saw the suspect when the van stopped. “It was a person in their 20s, he is very young, brown hair, a slim face.”
Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and cordoned off the area, with several ambulances and police vehicles responding.
The city also closed down metro stations in the area, with authorities telling people to stay away from the area.
The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, cancelled his holiday in Galicia, north-west Spain, to return to Madrid. He tweeted that he was in contact with the local authorities, saying the priority was to help the victims and facilitate the work of security forces.
World leaders have condemned the attack and sent condolences to the victims. Theresa May said: “The UK stands with Spain against terror.”
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, said he is doing all he can to identify whether any British people need help in Barcelona.
7.59pm BST
19:59
Carmen Fishwick
If you witnessed the attack in Las Ramblas, or have been affected by it, you can share your experiences with us.
You can share eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips via GuardianWitness or via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. You can also email: carmen.fishwick@theguardian.com
We’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting.
Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content and follow the advice of local authorities.
7.56pm BST
19:56
Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel react to the attack
French president Emmanuel Macron has voiced solidarity with Spain.
“We remain united and determined,” he said on Twitter, describing it as a “tragic attack”.
He later tweeted in Spanish: “Solidarity with Barcelona. We are by your side.”
Toutes mes pensées et la solidarité de la France pour les victimes de la tragique attaque à #Barcelone. Nous restons unis et déterminés.
Solidaridad con #Barcelona. Estamos a su lado. 🇫🇷🇪🇸
The office of German chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the “revolting attack” in Barcelona.
Her spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a tweet: “We are thinking with profound sadness of the victims of the revolting attack in Barcelona - with solidarity and frienship alongside the Spanish people.”
In tiefer Trauer sind wir bei den Opfern des widerwärtigen Anschlags in #Barcelona - in Solidarität + Freundschaft an d. Seite der Spanier.
Updated
at 9.40pm BST
7.44pm BST
19:44
Jason Burke
Jason Burke has written a snap analysis on the events in Barcelona, focusing on how painfully familiar the nature of the attack is.
... The use of vehicles as weapons is now an established tactic by extremists, one of the dozen or so employed in the last two decades that should be considered a standard part of the terrorist arsenal. In the past 13 months, there have been similar attacks in France, Germany, Sweden and the UK.
A woman was killed by a car driven at speed by a rightwing extremist in the US last week in slightly different circumstances.
The precise motivation and the identity of the Barcelona attackers will become clear in the next few hours. So far there has been no claim of responsibility from Islamic State. These can take between eight and 48 hours, if they come at all. In recent months, such claims have become highly unreliable. Individuals close to Isis and active on social media have been celebrating the Barcelona attack, but this does not indicate a connection to the group.
Tactics spread among militants when they are seen to work. There is no skill needed to drive a vehicle into a crowd, nor any difficulty involved in obtaining one. This makes a car, van or lorry an ideal weapon for today’s terrorists, who are often inspired by a group but are not actually part of it, and for the most part, lack the training and means necessary for more complex attacks.
Read the full article here:
Updated
at 9.41pm BST
7.37pm BST
19:37
Police release image of suspect
Spanish police have released a photograph of the man alleged to have rented the van used in the attack. He is identified as Driss Oukabir.
It is not clear if it is the same person who has been arrested in Vic.
Updated
at 7.42pm BST
7.31pm BST
19:31
Maeve Shearlaw
Facebook has activated its safety check tool to enable people in Barcelona to let their friends and relatives know they are safe.
Facebook has activated Safetycheck 4 users that are in #BCN, so you can inform friends & family that you are wellhttps://t.co/rzji0W3BYt
More 1,000 people have also used the service to volunteer to help the victims, with offers ranging from water to shelter and translation.
Updated
at 9.41pm BST