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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)
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 has 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.
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 last 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:
7.37pm BST7.37pm BST
19:3719:37
Police release image of suspectPolice release image of suspect
Spanish national police have released a photograph of the man alleged to have rented the van used in the attack. He is identified as Driss Oukabir. 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.It is not clear if it is the same person who has been arrested in Vic.
Updated
at 7.42pm BST
7.31pm BST7.31pm BST
19:3119:31
Maeve ShearlawMaeve Shearlaw
Facebook has activated its safety check tool to enable people in Barcelona to let their friends and relatives know that they are safe. 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/rzji0W3BYtFacebook has activated Safetycheck 4 users that are in #BCN, so you can inform friends & family that you are wellhttps://t.co/rzji0W3BYt
Over 1000 people have also used the service to offer help to the victims, with offers ranging from water to shelter and translation. Over 1,000 people have also used the service to offer help to the victims, with offers ranging from water to shelter and translation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.32pm BST at 7.43pm BST
7.29pm BST7.29pm BST
19:2919:29
Theresa May sends condolences to SpainTheresa May sends condolences to Spain
Theresa May said the UK “stands with Spain against terror” following the deadly attack in Barcelona.Theresa May said the UK “stands with Spain against terror” following the deadly attack in Barcelona.
The prime minister condemned the “terrible” assault, which follows a spate of similar attacks in London in recent months.The prime minister condemned the “terrible” assault, which follows a spate of similar attacks in London in recent months.
She said:She 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.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.
7.26pm BST7.26pm BST
19:2619:26
Official death toll is now 13Official death toll is now 13
13 people have been killed, and at least 50 have been injured, Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn has confirmed. Thirteen people have been killed, and at least 50 injured, Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn has confirmed.
La meva més rotunda condemna a l'atemptat terrorista de Barcelona. Podem confirmar 13 morts i més de 50 ferits. @mossos @solercampins pic.twitter.com/va0IlQejb0La meva més rotunda condemna a l'atemptat terrorista de Barcelona. Podem confirmar 13 morts i més de 50 ferits. @mossos @solercampins pic.twitter.com/va0IlQejb0
Updated
at 7.44pm BST
7.19pm BST7.19pm BST
19:1919:19
Catalan police confirm arrestCatalan police confirm arrest
Sam JonesSam Jones
A man has been arrested in connection with the van attack, local police confirmed on Thursday evening.A man has been arrested in connection with the van attack, local police confirmed on Thursday evening.
In a tweet, the police also dismissed reports that a suspect had holed himself up in a bar off Las Ramblas.In a tweet, the police also dismissed reports that a suspect had holed himself up in a bar off Las Ramblas.
No hi ha ningú atrinxerat a cap bar del centre de Barcelona. Hem detingut un home i ho tractem com atac terrorista #Barcelona #RamblesNo hi ha ningú atrinxerat a cap bar del centre de Barcelona. Hem detingut un home i ho tractem com atac terrorista #Barcelona #Rambles
7.17pm BST7.17pm BST
19:1719:17
Joseph HarkerJoseph Harker
Eyewitnesses in central Barcelona described a scene of “total chaos” in the immediate aftermath of the attack.Eyewitnesses in central Barcelona described a scene of “total chaos” in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Patrick Tuenter, 20, a law student from Nijmegen, Netherlands, was on the first day of his holiday.Patrick Tuenter, 20, a law student from Nijmegen, Netherlands, was on the first day of his holiday.
Our hotel, the Pension Solarium, is about 200metres from the scene of the crash. We were coming back from the beach and saw a scene of total chaos. People were screaming, there were a lot of wounded people. We saw a white van stopped in the middle of the street - the part where pedestrians walk down. It had driven right down the middle and thrown people onto the cobbled part of the street, down the sides.Our hotel, the Pension Solarium, is about 200metres from the scene of the crash. We were coming back from the beach and saw a scene of total chaos. People were screaming, there were a lot of wounded people. We saw a white van stopped in the middle of the street - the part where pedestrians walk down. It had driven right down the middle and thrown people onto the cobbled part of the street, down the sides.
Jesse Matenan, 20, also a student from Nijmegen described the rumours flying around the hotel as people try to work out what is happening.Jesse Matenan, 20, also a student from Nijmegen described the rumours flying around the hotel as people try to work out what is happening.
As we walked back to our hotel we saw and heard ambulances and police cars rushing by – over 30 of them within minutes. We saw lots of injured people fleeing the scene. We’re now hearing rumours that there was a second van which got away and is driving round with two people in it.As we walked back to our hotel we saw and heard ambulances and police cars rushing by – over 30 of them within minutes. We saw lots of injured people fleeing the scene. We’re now hearing rumours that there was a second van which got away and is driving round with two people in it.
7.13pm BST7.13pm BST
19:1319:13
Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has tweeted about the attacks. He said he is doing all he can to identify whether any British people need help in Barcelona.Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has tweeted about the attacks. He said he is doing all he can to identify whether any British people need help in Barcelona.
Concerned and saddened by #Barcelona attack. Our thoughts are with those affected. Doing all we can to identify whether Brits need help.Concerned and saddened by #Barcelona attack. Our thoughts are with those affected. Doing all we can to identify whether Brits need help.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for UK citizens in Barcelona, warning them to avoid the area.The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for UK citizens in Barcelona, warning them to avoid the area.
“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.“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: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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.22pm BSTat 7.22pm BST
7.07pm BST7.07pm BST
19:0719:07
Donald Trump condemns the terror attackDonald Trump condemns the terror attack
Donald Trump has condemned the terror attack on Las Ramblas:Donald Trump has condemned the terror attack on Las Ramblas:
The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!
The first lady has also sent a tweet:The first lady has also sent a tweet:
Thoughts and prayers to #BarcelonaThoughts and prayers to #Barcelona
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.12pm BSTat 7.12pm BST
7.04pm BST7.04pm BST
19:0419:04
An eyewitness has described the painstaking search for suspects.An eyewitness has described the painstaking search for suspects.
John Ward, who lives on Las Ramblas, says the area is still on lockdown.John Ward, who lives on Las Ramblas, says the area is still on lockdown.
He told the BBC:He told the BBC:
There’s a very heavy police presence and what they’ve been doing is going from establishment to establishment knocking on the doors, knocking on the shutters.There’s a very heavy police presence and what they’ve been doing is going from establishment to establishment knocking on the doors, knocking on the shutters.
People have opened the shutters, they’ve been brought out on to the street and once it’s been established that they’re not the people they are looking for, they’ve been escorted away from this particular area.People have opened the shutters, they’ve been brought out on to the street and once it’s been established that they’re not the people they are looking for, they’ve been escorted away from this particular area.
Now nobody is moving on La Ramblas unless they’re under police escort.Now nobody is moving on La Ramblas unless they’re under police escort.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.11pm BSTat 7.11pm BST
7.01pm BST7.01pm BST
19:0119:01
Reports of arrest and identification of suspectReports of arrest and identification of suspect
Local media is reporting that one person has been arrested in relation to the attack.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 an NIE, the identity document issued to foreigners who are resident in Spain.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 an NIE, the identity document issued to foreigners who are resident in Spain.
It is not clear whether the reports referred to the same person.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 a 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 a getaway car – has been found in the small town of Vic in Catalonia.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.05pm BSTat 7.05pm BST
6.59pm BST6.59pm BST
18:5918:59
Here’s another shot of the crashed van, taken from a video posted online.Here’s another shot of the crashed van, taken from a video posted online.
6.56pm BST6.56pm BST
18:5618:56
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.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.”Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn told reporters: “Unfortunately the number of fatalities will likely rise.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.59pm BSTat 6.59pm BST