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Barcelona attack: police kill several suspects in Cambrils terror raid – latest updates Barcelona attack: police kill four suspects in Cambrils terror raid – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
1.59am BST
01:59
It’s close to 3am in Spain. Catalan police say that although investigations continue in Cambrils, where four suspects were shot dead, “the situation is under control”.
2:56 El dispositiu policial a Cambrils continua en marxa però la situació, a hores d'ara, està sota control. Continuem demanant precaució
1.53am BST
01:53
Here is the official statement from the Catalan police about the Cambrils shooting.
It reads:
As well as the four killed in Cambrils, there is a fifth perpetrator injured during the same operation.
A banda dels 4 abatuts a Cambrils hi ha una cinquè autor ferit detingut pels mateixos fets
The injured suspect has been arrested.
Updated
at 1.54am BST
1.51am BST
01:51
In photographs and video from the scene in Cambrils, three bodies can be seen lying in front of the town’s yacht club, Club Nàutic: it’s not clear if they are the alleged perpetrators shot by police.
This image – not taken today – shows the usual view of the club.
1.49am BST
01:49
Giles Tremlett
Police in other parts of Spain also appear to be on high alert. At least one police roadblock was operating in the small hours of Friday morning near the Retiro Park in the capital, Madrid, when I reached the city.
1.44am BST
01:44
This video from Cambrils shows people taking cover as approximately eight shots ring out.
Catalan police later confirmed that officers shot dead four alleged perpetrators and injured one more during the counter-terror raids there.
1.37am BST
01:37
Giles Tremlett
This now looks like a coordinated attempt to carry out attacks in several parts of Catalonia, with tourists as a target.
Five other people are reported – though this is not yet confirmed – to have been injured on the seafront Paseo Maritimo in the Cambrils attack, allegedly by the suspected terrorists who were then shot by police.
Police now say that an explosion that destroyed a house in Alcanar Platja on Thursday morning, killing one person and injuring several more, is also linked to the attack.
The explosion was initially thought to be caused by the accidental explosion of a gas bottle.
1.28am BST
01:28
Four suspects killed, one injured
A spokeswoman for the Catalan police has confirmed that officers shot dead four alleged perpetrators and injured one more during the counter-terror raid in Cambrils.
1.26am BST1.26am BST
01:2601:26
Video from the town of Cambrils appears to show the bodies of three people on the ground near the port area. It’s still not clear how many have been killed or injured in the police operation.Video from the town of Cambrils appears to show the bodies of three people on the ground near the port area. It’s still not clear how many have been killed or injured in the police operation.
1.23am BST1.23am BST
01:2301:23
Emergency services say the situation in Cambrils is “exceptional” and ask people in the town to be patient. Some roads are closed, they say. People are asked to remain indoors.Emergency services say the situation in Cambrils is “exceptional” and ask people in the town to be patient. Some roads are closed, they say. People are asked to remain indoors.
1.20am BST1.20am BST
01:2001:20
Catalan police have now tweeted their earlier message in English.Catalan police have now tweeted their earlier message in English.
They have still not yet confirmed how many “perpetrators” were involved or shot dead.They have still not yet confirmed how many “perpetrators” were involved or shot dead.
They say the shootings were linked to a suspected imminent terror attack in the town.They say the shootings were linked to a suspected imminent terror attack in the town.
We work with the hypothesis that the incident of #Cambrils respond to a terrorist attack. We have shot down the perpetratorsWe work with the hypothesis that the incident of #Cambrils respond to a terrorist attack. We have shot down the perpetrators
1.18am BST1.18am BST
01:1801:18
Giles TremlettGiles Tremlett
La Vanguardia is reporting that four suspected terrorists have been killed by police (though this number has not been officially confirmed). It also has video of what appears to be shots being fired in the town and people hiding on the beach.La Vanguardia is reporting that four suspected terrorists have been killed by police (though this number has not been officially confirmed). It also has video of what appears to be shots being fired in the town and people hiding on the beach.
If correct, that would make five people killed by police in the past few hours. Another person was shot after driving through a police checkpoint, but officials later said the dead person had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks.If correct, that would make five people killed by police in the past few hours. Another person was shot after driving through a police checkpoint, but officials later said the dead person had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks.
1.14am BST1.14am BST
01:1401:14
Carles Puigdemont‏, the Catalan president, has thanked the police involved in the Cambrils operation “in these critical and tragic hours”.Carles Puigdemont‏, the Catalan president, has thanked the police involved in the Cambrils operation “in these critical and tragic hours”.
1.12am BST1.12am BST
01:1201:12
Naaman ZhouNaaman Zhou
The small coastal town of Cambrils, where police have killed an unknown number of suspects during a counter-terrorism raid after today’s Barcelona van attack, is a popular tourist destination for Spanish holidaymakers on Catalonia’s Costa Daurada, or Gold Coast.The small coastal town of Cambrils, where police have killed an unknown number of suspects during a counter-terrorism raid after today’s Barcelona van attack, is a popular tourist destination for Spanish holidaymakers on Catalonia’s Costa Daurada, or Gold Coast.
A port city with a population of 33,000, Cambrils is around 120km from Barcelona. Its city website describes it as “the beginning and end” of a number of popular tourist routes, in an area already dense with attractions. The town is 12km from the international Reus airport, and 10km from PortAventura World, which is the most popular theme park in Spain, with 4 million annual visitors.A port city with a population of 33,000, Cambrils is around 120km from Barcelona. Its city website describes it as “the beginning and end” of a number of popular tourist routes, in an area already dense with attractions. The town is 12km from the international Reus airport, and 10km from PortAventura World, which is the most popular theme park in Spain, with 4 million annual visitors.
Known as the food capital of the Costa Daurada, Cambrils has two Michelin-starred restaurants and 7km of beaches around a central port.Known as the food capital of the Costa Daurada, Cambrils has two Michelin-starred restaurants and 7km of beaches around a central port.
1.08am BST1.08am BST
01:0801:08
Police have not confirmed how many suspects were killed in Cambrils. Spanish media reports are saying four or five, but this has not been confirmed.Police have not confirmed how many suspects were killed in Cambrils. Spanish media reports are saying four or five, but this has not been confirmed.
There are also reports that a number of police officers were injured during the operation.There are also reports that a number of police officers were injured during the operation.
It is still not clear how the Cambrils counter-terror raid is linked to the earlier attack in Barcelona.It is still not clear how the Cambrils counter-terror raid is linked to the earlier attack in Barcelona.
1.03am BST1.03am BST
01:0301:03
Suspects killed in CambrilsSuspects killed in Cambrils
Police say they have killed “perpetrators” during the counter-terror raid in Cambrils.Police say they have killed “perpetrators” during the counter-terror raid in Cambrils.
Treballem amb la hipòtesi que els fets de Cambrils responen a un atac terrorista. Hem abatut els presumptes autors.Treballem amb la hipòtesi que els fets de Cambrils responen a un atac terrorista. Hem abatut els presumptes autors.
1.00am BST1.00am BST
01:0001:00
Roger Rovira, a journalist with TV3, is in Vic, 80km away from Barcelona, where a second van – presumed to be a getaway vehicle – that had been hired at the same time from the Telefurgo rental company in Sabadell, was found.Roger Rovira, a journalist with TV3, is in Vic, 80km away from Barcelona, where a second van – presumed to be a getaway vehicle – that had been hired at the same time from the Telefurgo rental company in Sabadell, was found.
Rovira says police officers are attempting to open the van, but have sent in robots to check it, presumably for explosives. Journalists and others have been warned to stay back.Rovira says police officers are attempting to open the van, but have sent in robots to check it, presumably for explosives. Journalists and others have been warned to stay back.
Tedax @mossos obren furgoneta Vic. Robot i agents envolten vehicle @324cat pic.twitter.com/7hl4VGUEfLTedax @mossos obren furgoneta Vic. Robot i agents envolten vehicle @324cat pic.twitter.com/7hl4VGUEfL
12.53am BST
00:53
Police in Barcelona are removing the van used in the attack on Las Ramblas:
Police have just taken what looks to be the van from the crime scene in Barcelona @abcnews pic.twitter.com/KAWcAnanZq
12.48am BST
00:48
The Australian foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, said one woman, believed to be from New South Wales, is in a serious but stable condition and two young Australian men who were ‘directly affected’ by the fatal van attack in Spain would seek medical help in the morning.
Bishop urged all Australians in the area to contact consular authorities to let them know they are safe.
12.45am BST
00:45
Police involved in the Cambrils operation are warning of a “possible terror attack”.
Officials are tweeting in Catalan and English – the town is a coastal one and close to tourist resorts.
Police operation in #Cambrils for possible terrorist attack. If you are now in #Cambrils avoid going out. Stay home, stay safe
12.37am BST
00:37
Police have confirmed that the investigation ongoing in the town of Cambrils is a counter-terror operation.
People there have been advised to stay inside and not share unverified information.
Operatiu policial en marxa a Cambrils per possible atemptat terrorista.
12.30am BST
00:30
Details are emerging of those killed and injured in the attack, although, as expected, there is not yet a clear picture and no casualties have yet been named.
Joaquim Forn, the regional interior minister, said at least 13 people had died and around 100 more were injured.
Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders has confirmed that a Belgian woman was among those killed.
The Netherlands foreign ministry said three Dutch citizens had been injured but were “in contact with their relatives”:
They are out of danger and have been taken to a hospital.
A Greek official said three nationals had been injured, a woman and her two children.
At least one Australian has been injured. Foreign minister Julie Bishop said the woman was in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital.
12.19am BST
00:19
This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog.
Mossos, the Catalonian police force, has said it is currently carrying out an operation in Cambrils, a coastal town around 120km from Barcelona.
Officials are advising people in Cambrils to “stay home, stay safe”.
12.00am BST
00:00
Driver in Barcelona van attack still on the run
The driver of a van that rammed into a packed street in Barcelona, is still on the run, Spanish police confirmed. There has been confusion on the driver’s whereabouts following two arrests.
Josep Lluís Trapero of the regional police of Catalonia, said one of the suspects arrested over the attack is a man born in the Spanish territory of Melilla in northern Morocco. The other, Driss Oukabir, is Moroccan.
The Spanish suspect was arrested in Alcanar, while Oukabir was held in Ripoll in northern Catalonia. Neither of them had any criminal record, he added.
Trapero also confirmed that police suspect a deadly explosion late Wednesday at a house in Alcanar was linked to the van attack.
Trapero said the explosion left at least one person dead, and police suspected those in the house were “preparing an explosive device.”
“It seems there was an accumulation of gas that generated the explosion,” he said, without giving further details.
Updated
at 12.45am BST
11.52pm BST
23:52
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy said the van attack was “jihadist terrorism” which required a global response.
“Today the fight against terrorism is the principal priority for free and open societies like ours. It is a global threat and the response has to be global,” Rajoy said during a news conference in Barcelona.
He said he would call on other Spanish political parties to reaffirm the country’s anti-terrorism pact.
11.40pm BST
23:40
We have a bit more on the detained suspects. As mentioned before, neither of the men are the driver of the van involved in the attack.
The arrests of a Spanish national from Melilla and a Moroccan were made in the northern Catalan town of Ripoll and in Alcanar, the site of an explosion, which killed one person and is being potentially linked to the van attack, authorities said.
The whereabouts of the van driver remains unclear after police said he made off on foot and was not believed to be armed.
There were also reports that detectives believe two vans were used, one for the attack and a second as a getaway vehicle.
Hours after Thursday’s attack, police shot and killed a man who was in a car that hit two officers at a traffic blockade on the outskirts of Barcelona. However, senior police official Josep Lluis Trapero said it was not linked to the van attack.
Updated
at 11.42pm BST
11.35pm BST
23:35
There has been a lot more reaction from high-profile figures and organisations, voicing their support for the Barcelona victims.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “My thoughts are with those killed and injured, and the emergency services working to save lives.”
Terrible reports from Barcelona. My thoughts are with those killed and injured, and the emergency services working to save lives.
Barcelona FC said it was “deeply saddened” by the attack, while their rivals Real Madrid expressed “solidarity with the victims and their families and friends”.
Former England striker Gary Lineker, who played for Barcelona for three seasons from 1986-89, tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear about the attack in the wonderful city of Barcelona.”
Deeply saddened to hear about the attack in the wonderful city of Barcelona. What purpose this barbarity serves is beyond comprehension.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, a former Barcelona midfielder and coach, said: “All at MCFC are saddened to hear of the attack in the City of Barcelona. Our thoughts are with all affected and the emergency services.”
Spanish tennis champion Rafael Nadal, whose uncle Miguel Angel Nadal used to play for Barcelona, said: “Shattered by what has happened in Barcelona! All my support for the families affected and the city.”
Former US president Barack Obama tweeted: “Michelle and I are thinking of the victims and their families in Barcelona.”
Michelle and I are thinking of the victims and their families in Barcelona. Americans will always stand with our Spanish friends. Un abrazo.
Former presidential candidate and secretary of state Hillary Clinton posted: “We stand together against terrorism wherever it strikes.”
Barcelona, you have our resolve and support in the face of this cowardly attack. We stand together against terrorism wherever it strikes.
Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester city council, said:
Our hearts go out to Barcelona in the wake of this sickening incident. Manchester stands in solidarity with that great city. We know from recent experience both how devastating this sort of attack is and how important international solidarity, community spirit and a refusal to give in to terror are in dealing with its aftermath.
Updated
at 11.42pm BST