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Barcelona van attack: multiple deaths reported in Las Ramblas area - latest updates Barcelona attack: multiple deaths reported after van hits Las Ramblas crowds – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
7.01pm BST
19:01
Reports of arrest and identification of suspect
Alex Olorenshaw
Local media is reporting that one person has been arrested in relation to the attack.
Separate reports said 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.
It is not clear whether the reports 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.
6.59pm BST
18:59
Here’s another shot of the crashed van, taken from a video posted online.
6.56pm BST
18:56
The official death toll for the van attack still stands at one, although local media are reporting that as many as 13 could be dead. Police say 32 people have been injured, 10 of them seriously.
Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn told reporters: “Unfortunately the number of fatalities will likely rise.”
Updated
at 6.59pm BST
6.54pm BST
18:54
One suspect arrested, according to Spanish broadcaster
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE says one suspect in the Barcelona van attack has been arrested.
Updated
at 6.58pm BST
6.47pm BST
18:47
The US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has offered his condolences for the loss of life in Barcelona. He also warned terrorists they would be brought to justice in the wake of the Las Ramblas attack.
Terrorists around the world should know, the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice.
Tillerson, who was speaking at a press conference, also urged US nationals in the city to check in with their families.
Updated
at 6.52pm BST
6.36pm BST
18:36
The attack took place in central Barcelona. 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.
Updated
at 6.37pm BST
6.34pm BST
18:34
Carmen Fishwick
A video posted to social media shows more than 12 injured people lying on the ground next to souvenir shops in front of Maccabi restaurant in Las Ramblas.
As well as uniformed emergency service personnel, a number of people dressed casually in shorts and t-shirts can be seen offering help and tending to the wounded.
Updated
at 6.38pm BST
6.33pm BST
18:33
Martin Belam
Despite an appeal by Spanish police not to circulate images of those injured in the attack, there have been some graphic videos and images posted to social media this evening, as well as video that appears to depict the movements of armed police as they search for suspects.
Residents of Barcelona, and social media users from further afield, have tried to combat the spread of these images with a seemingly bizarre tactic - flooding the #barcelona hashtag with images of cute kittens.
It was a tactic employed by Belgian social media users in 2015. Police there asked citizens not to tweet about armed counter-terror operations being carried out around the country, and told people to stay indoors and not go near windows. Belgians reacted by using the #BrusselsLockdown hashtag to share pictures of their pets and make jokes.
Social media reactions like this can often seem glib and superficial in the face of the events that have sparked them, but academics have argued that they can play a role in dealing with collective national trauma.
Updated
at 6.35pm BST
6.31pm BST
18:31
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has tweeted his condolences.
He said: “My thoughts are with the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack in the great city of Barcelona and with their brave emergency services.”
He added that London stands with Barcelona.
London stands with Barcelona against the evil of terrorism.
6.28pm BST6.28pm BST
18:2818:28
Witnesses to the terror attack in Barcelona described how a white van hurtled through crowds without slowing down. Witnesses to the attack in Barcelona described how a white van hurtled through crowds without slowing down.
Scores were sent scattering in panic as carnage unfolded on Las Ramblas, a bustling high street often thronged with tourists at the height of the summer season. Many were forced to take shelter in nearby shops and hotels, while others reported hearing gunshots. Many were forced to take shelter in nearby shops and hotels, while others reported hearing gunshots.
Tom Gueller, who lives on a road adjoining the site of the attack, was forced to flee when the vehicle began hitting pedestrians.Tom Gueller, who lives on a road adjoining the site of the attack, was forced to flee when the vehicle began hitting pedestrians.
He told BBC’s PM:He told BBC’s PM:
I heard screams and a bit of a crash and then I just saw the crowd parting and this van going full pelt down the middle of the Ramblas, and I immediately knew that it was a terrorist attack or something like that. I ran away, I mean I live near, I had to run back about 50 metres or so and go up to my flat and obviously see what’s happening on the road from my balcony.I heard screams and a bit of a crash and then I just saw the crowd parting and this van going full pelt down the middle of the Ramblas, and I immediately knew that it was a terrorist attack or something like that. I ran away, I mean I live near, I had to run back about 50 metres or so and go up to my flat and obviously see what’s happening on the road from my balcony.
Asked about the van, he said: “It wasn’t slowing down at all. It was just going straight through the middle of the crowds in the middle of the Ramblas.” Asked about the van, he said: “It wasn’t slowing down at all. It was just going straight through the middle of the crowds in the middle of Las Ramblas.”
Will Ako, 26, from London, was eating in a restaurant called Taller De Tapas with his family when they heard a disturbance.Will Ako, 26, from London, was eating in a restaurant called Taller De Tapas with his family when they heard a disturbance.
He told the Press Association: He told Press Association:
We had just finished eating and were about to leave when we heard a commotion and the patrons in the restaurant rushing from their seats. I then saw people running to the east of the restaurant and I saw a couple of people, about 30 yards down the road, crouching around what looked like someone on the ground and they were calling for assistance. Within a couple of minutes, police started to arrive and they were running west of the restaurant and some were telling us to stay inside. Soon after, loads of cars, bikes and ambulances arrived and then the armed police.We had just finished eating and were about to leave when we heard a commotion and the patrons in the restaurant rushing from their seats. I then saw people running to the east of the restaurant and I saw a couple of people, about 30 yards down the road, crouching around what looked like someone on the ground and they were calling for assistance. Within a couple of minutes, police started to arrive and they were running west of the restaurant and some were telling us to stay inside. Soon after, loads of cars, bikes and ambulances arrived and then the armed police.
He said he was in the restaurant with around 40 people, adding: “We’re not sure what’s happening.”He said he was in the restaurant with around 40 people, adding: “We’re not sure what’s happening.”
Updated
at 6.50pm BST
6.17pm BST6.17pm BST
18:1718:17
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
For now we don’t know who was responsible for the attack, nor what the motive was.For now we don’t know who was responsible for the attack, nor what the motive was.
However, we do know that the use of vehicles to drive into civilians is a mode of attack hugely difficult to stop.However, we do know that the use of vehicles to drive into civilians is a mode of attack hugely difficult to stop.
Atrocities involving vehicle attacks have been carried out in France, Germany and Britain. Such vehicle attacks generally require very little planning, and no wider network, leaving little or no opportunity for the authorities to detect and stop them.Atrocities involving vehicle attacks have been carried out in France, Germany and Britain. Such vehicle attacks generally require very little planning, and no wider network, leaving little or no opportunity for the authorities to detect and stop them.
Las Ramblas was full of people, is largely or wholly open, with few obstacles to block the path of any vehicle.Las Ramblas was full of people, is largely or wholly open, with few obstacles to block the path of any vehicle.
Britain suffered vehicle attacks by Islamist terrorists in Westminster in March and London Bridge in June. In London Bridge the van was rented hours before the attack with reconnaissance of the area where the atrocity took place carried out minutes before.
Options to make a vehicle attack harder include making renting vehicles harder and placing barriers to limit how far an attacker could drive as they mow civilians down.Options to make a vehicle attack harder include making renting vehicles harder and placing barriers to limit how far an attacker could drive as they mow civilians down.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.21pm BST at 6.28pm BST
6.13pm BST6.13pm BST
18:1318:13
Police press conference: one dead and 32 injuredPolice press conference: one dead and 32 injured
Police have confirmed that one person has died and that 32 people have been injured, 10 of them seriously.Police have confirmed that one person has died and that 32 people have been injured, 10 of them seriously.
En aquests moments es confirma una víctima mortal i 32 ferits, dels quals 10 greus#BarcelonaEn aquests moments es confirma una víctima mortal i 32 ferits, dels quals 10 greus#Barcelona
There has been some confusion, as is typical in these situations, about the number of fatalities. Local media outlets are reporting that 13 have died, citing police sources. Other media, including El Pais, are saying there were at least 10 deaths.There has been some confusion, as is typical in these situations, about the number of fatalities. Local media outlets are reporting that 13 have died, citing police sources. Other media, including El Pais, are saying there were at least 10 deaths.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.14pm BSTat 6.14pm BST
6.05pm BST6.05pm BST
18:0518:05
Sam JonesSam Jones
In a tweet, Catalan police confirmed they were dealing with a terrorist attack.In a tweet, Catalan police confirmed they were dealing with a terrorist attack.
“Terrorist attack confirmed,” they said. “The terrorist attack protocol has been activated.”“Terrorist attack confirmed,” they said. “The terrorist attack protocol has been activated.”
Es confirma atemptat terrorista. S'ha activat el protocol d'atemptat terroristaEs confirma atemptat terrorista. S'ha activat el protocol d'atemptat terrorista
5.58pm BST
17:58
Giles Tremlett
TV3 says it now has “official” confirmation that 13 people are dead. It also says there are dozens of injured.
Eyewitness Lourdes Porcar told TV3 television station that she saw the van running people over. “It was going very fast, without caring about who was in its way,” she said.
Police have set up roadblocks around the city amid reports that a second van was involved in the attack and fled the scene.
There are also reports that at least one attacker is holed up in a Turkish restaurant on Carrer Hospital, which leads off from the spot in which the van appears to have come to a halt.
Television pictures show that a van came to a halt on top of a Joan Miro mosaic, half-way down Las Ramblas - meaning it would have covered more than 500 metres.
Updated
at 6.04pm BST
5.52pm BST
17:52
The first pictures of the crashed van are appearing online.
Updated
at 5.59pm BST
5.52pm BST
17:52
Death toll at 13 - unconfirmed Spanish media reports
Spanish radio station Cadena Ser radio is reporting that at least 13 people have died in the Barcelona incident, citing police sources. Spanish police have not given an official toll.
Updated
at 6.06pm BST
5.47pm BST
17:47
Vikram Dodd
Aamer Anwar, civil rights lawyer and rector of Glasgow University, was on the Ramblas when the attack happened and ran for his life.
He saw scenes of terror after the attack:
It was jam packed with tourists, it was a beautiful sunny day. I heard a noise, a crashing noise. At the same time there were screams and people started to run. It was like an avalanche of people running, in front and behind me. People were jumping into shops, pulling their children out of prams. There was no room [on the Ramblas], it was swamped with families, children, and tourists. I saw a woman running, when we stopped she was screaming, because she could not see her children. Within 30 seconds I could see police officers with guns. One man told me there were five or six people seriously injured.
Anwar said 80 minutes after the incident, ambulances were still arriving at the scene. He was in Barcelona to speak at a conference on Catalan independence, being held this weekend.
5.40pm BST
17:40
Giles Tremlett
TV3 is reporting that “up to” six people are dead, but does not name its sources. The spokeswoman for a chain of 10 restaurants in the area said that some 600 people were stuck inside their restaurants, waiting for permission from the police to leave.
Those people may be having trouble communicating with friends because mobile phone coverage in the area is saturated.
Local police say they still do not know the motivation for the attack, but are treating it as terrorism. The Cadena Ser radio station reports that a Spanish identity card with an Arabic name has been found inside the van.
There are reports of police ushering people away from a Turkish restaurant by the Ramblas. There are also reports that at least one gunman is holed up in a Turkish restaurant.
Updated
at 6.06pm BST
5.38pm BST
17:38
Jessica Elgot
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for UK citizens in Barcelona, telling them to avoid Las Ramblas. “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,” an FCO spokesperson said. On the travel advice page for Spain on the FCO website, the updated advice says:
The British embassy in Madrid and consulate general in Barcelona are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of an incident in central Barcelona.
Local authorities have advised people to stay inside and stay away from the Las Ramblas area of the city. If you’re in the immediate area you should take care and follow the advice of the local security authorities; press reports suggest that some public transport, particularly the metro, has been affected.
Updated
at 5.41pm BST
5.37pm BST
17:37
Police confirm there are fatalities in the Barcelona van attack
Spanish police have confirmed that an unknown number of people have died in the incident in Las Ramblas.
Local media have given various, unconfirmed tolls for the dead and injured.
18:15 Hi ha víctimes mortals i ferits arran de l'atropellament. NO hi ha hagut cap tiroteig a El Corte Inglés. Seguiu fonts oficials
The police have tweeted that there has been no exchange of gunfire in the department store El Corte Inglés and called on people to follow official sources for information.
Updated
at 5.47pm BST
5.31pm BST
17:31
The Spanish emergency services have told people in the area of Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona to stay where they are until told by police that they can leave.
Si os encontráis Si os encontráis en la zona de Plaza Cataluña en Barcelona quedaos donde estéis hasta que la policía diga que podéis salir
5.27pm BST
17:27
A producer at Sky News is at the scene on Las Ramblas and sent this dispatch:
Sky producer Mike Mawhinney said:
All around Las Ramblas, about three blocks off it, the streets are being completely locked off, people pushed back.
They’re searching the area for anything else, so obviously there’s the story you just mentioned about the restaurant, obviously a possible development.
When I arrived on the scene I saw two wounded people lying on the pavement, one was getting picked up and put on to a stretcher and lowered on to the ambulance and stretchered out, that looked quite serious.
The other seemed to be OK and was moving and later was being loaded up on to an ambulance and taken out.
Everybody’s been thrown into buildings, locked in, everyone’s told to get off the street. They pushed everybody back at least three blocks off the Las Ramblas as they were searching the area.
There were armed teams, undercover police and the flying squad guys clearing the streets and trying to take control of the situation.
Obviously everybody’s a little bit jittery due to the circumstances and thinking about secondary devices or whatever else may happen after the main event.
From what I understand from one eyewitness, the vehicle entered Las Ramblas on the road side and then went on to the pedestrian side and went down the middle.
Updated
at 5.44pm BST
5.23pm BST
17:23
The president of the government of Catalonia 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.
Updated
at 6.07pm BST