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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)
10.56pm BST
22:56
The Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has just given a press conference.
One Australian women, from New South Wales, is in hospital in a “serious but stable condition”.
Two other young men from Melbourne had been “directly affected” but had returned to their hotel rooms. She said there were “multiple nationalities” among those killed and injured.
She urged tourists to stay in their hotel rooms, as the situation was still evolving, and contact consular staff to let them know they were safe.
10.51pm BST
22:51
Three German citizens are reportedly among the dead
Philip Oltermann
At least three German citizens were among those who died during the Barcelona attack, according to a report by broadcaster ZDF which cited security sources.
10.48pm BST
22:48
Mike Ticher
The Australian government is concerned that Australians may have been caught up in the terror attack in Barcelona.
Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne says they are “concerned” Australians may be involved. Some reports are saying two may be injured, but there is nothing official yet.
The federal government has marshalled its officials in Spain to seek out Australians in the city of Barcelona after a terror attack.
“We are concerned that Australians may be involved and the embassy there in Madrid and the consulates that are available are searching for the Australians in Barcelona,” cabinet minister Christopher Pyne told Nine Network on Friday.
“The government wants any Australians in the city to let people know they are safe - either through Facebook, by calling relatives or contacting the consulate in Spain.”
An Australian tourist has told of the horror that unfolded moments after the van ploughed into crowds. Susan McLean, who was about 100m from the scene and was separated from her husband in the panic, told Nine Network:
All of a sudden there was this tidal wave of people running from both Placa de Catalunya and Las Ramblas towards us screaming, crying and with absolute terror etched on their faces.
Initially we couldn’t hear anything other than all these people running towards us. Several of them were calling ‘gun, gun’, so first of all we thought someone had been shot.
Then they just kept sort of - it was all in Spanish. It was very difficult to understand but they were sort of pushing us into shops.
That was quite scary because I wasn’t sure where he was but the shopkeepers were great. They pulled everyone inside and put the shutters down.
My first reaction was the Bourke Street massacre, because that is what it reminded me of, the vision of people fleeing in just such terror.
Another tourist, Julia Monaco from Melbourne told Nine police on the scene suddenly ordered her and her family inside a shop just across from where the attack happened.
In a split second it all kind of changed and everyone just started running and panicking and running for their lives and crying and screaming and we were forced back into the store, told to get away from the windows and to get low on the ground.
We were huddled at the very back of the store lying flat on if floor and were in that position for about 20 minutes with no real understanding of what was happening other than it was incredibly serious.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has tweeted his condolences. He said: “Our love & prayers are with the victims.”
Resolute with Spain in the fight to defeat terrorism we condemn the terrorist attack in Barcelona. Our love & prayers are with the victims.
10.35pm BST
22:35
Julian Borger
My colleague, Julian Borger, has more on the house explosion:
Police officials have suggested there could be a connection between the Barcelona attack and two explosions earlier in the day in a house in Alcanar, a small town in Tarragona about 100km south of Barcelona, in which one person died and 16 people were injured, including police and firefighters who were investigating the first explosion and were hit by a second blast. The explosions had initially been reported as gas explosions.
Read the full story on the terror attack here:
10.29pm BST
22:29
This is a photograph of the house in Alcanar, Catalonia, which was destroyed by an explosion. Police are now investigating a link between the incident and today’s terror attack.
10.22pm BST10.22pm BST
22:2222:22
Neither of the two detained suspects was the driver of the van that crashed into pedestrians in Barcelona, police have said.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”.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 whereabouts of the driver of the van was unclear.
The two suspects in custody are a Spanish national from Melilla and a Moroccan.The two suspects in custody are a Spanish national from Melilla and a Moroccan.
10.14pm BST10.14pm BST
22:1422:14
Stephen BurgenStephen 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 explosionCatalonian 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.The explosion happened in a house, a Catalan police official said.
10.05pm BST10.05pm BST
22:0522:05
My colleagues, Stephen Burgen in Barcelona, Giles Tremlett in Madrid and Ian Cobain in London, have spoken to a number of witnesses.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.”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.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.”“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:Read more here:
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.09pm BSTat 10.09pm BST
10.00pm BST10.00pm BST
22:0022:00
Reports have emerged suggesting that Driss Oukabir had handed himself into police after seeing his photograph being circulated online and in the media.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.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.There is no official confirmation on this from the authorities, however.
9.52pm BST9.52pm BST
21:5221:52
Theresa May has released a longer statement, saying the Foreign Office is in close contact with the authorities in Spain.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.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.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.Following the attacks in Manchester and London, Spain stood alongside the British people. Tonight, Britain stands with Spain against the evil of terrorism.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.57pm BSTat 9.57pm BST
9.48pm BST9.48pm BST
21:4821:48
Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan president, has declared three days of mourning for the region. He said: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.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.Tomorrow at noon people will gather in Plaça de Catalunya for a minute’s silence.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.57pm BSTat 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