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Barcelona and Cambrils attacks: What we know so far Barcelona and Cambrils attacks: What we know so far
(1 day later)
A group of 12 jihadists has been blamed for a series of attacks in and around the Spanish city of Barcelona, killing 15 people.A group of 12 jihadists has been blamed for a series of attacks in and around the Spanish city of Barcelona, killing 15 people.
A van mowed down tourists and residents on Barcelona's famous Las Ramblas boulevard, and a car was driven into pedestrians in the popular seaside resort of Cambrils. For days, suspected Ramblas attacker Younes Abouyaaqoub was on the run before police shot him dead. Four were arrested and on 22 August prosecutors charged them with terrorist murder.
A van mowed down tourists and residents on Barcelona's famous Las Ramblas boulevard on 17 August. Then a car was driven into pedestrians in the popular seaside resort of Cambrils. For days, suspected Ramblas attacker Younes Abouyaaqoub was on the run before police shot him dead.
What happened?What happened?
It was at 16:50 (14:50 GMT) on Thursday 17 August that a white van careered down Las Ramblas at high speed, while the avenue that runs 1.2km (0.75 miles) was packed with tourists. At 16:50 (14:50 GMT) on 17 August a white van zig-zagged down Las Ramblas at high speed, while the pedestrian avenue - 1.2km (0.75 miles) long - was packed with tourists.
Witnesses said the driver zigzagged along the pedestrianised area, trying to hit as many people as possible. Many were knocked to the ground while others fled for cover in nearby shops and cafes. Witnesses said the driver tried to hit as many people as possible. Many were knocked to the ground while others fled for cover in nearby shops and cafes.
The driver killed 13 people and injured more than 100, and then fled. Catalan police rushed to scene and told the public to stay in cafes and restaurants as they combed the area for at least one attacker. The driver killed 13 people and injured more than 100, then fled on foot.
They soon described the incident as a terror attack. Eventually police said one man had carried out the van attack, and named him as Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22. Catalan police and medics were quickly on the scene. The police described it as a terror attack and later said one man had carried it out. They named him as Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22.
Eight hours later, a black Audi A3 car ploughed into pedestrians at Cambrils, 100km (68 miles) down the coast from Barcelona. A Spanish woman was killed. Eight hours later, a black Audi A3 car ploughed into pedestrians at Cambrils, 100km (62 miles) down the coast from Barcelona. A Spanish woman was killed.
The Audi overturned and five people got out, some wearing fake suicide belts. Four were shot dead by a policeman at the scene. A fifth escaped but was later shot dead.The Audi overturned and five people got out, some wearing fake suicide belts. Four were shot dead by a policeman at the scene. A fifth escaped but was later shot dead.
Aftermath of Barcelona attack in picturesAftermath of Barcelona attack in pictures
Spanish police stop second attackSpanish police stop second attack
A sequence of eventsA sequence of events
It has since become clear the attacks on the Ramblas and at Cambrils were among several linked events that began the night before at Alcanar, further down the coast from Cambrils. It has since become clear the attacks on Las Ramblas and at Cambrils were among several linked events that began the night before at Alcanar, further down the coast from Cambrils.
Up to three people died in an explosion at a house shortly after 23:00 on Wednesday night. The blast reduced the house to rubble. Initially police thought the explosion was linked to drug traffickers. But officers then found 120 gas canisters in the wreckage and now believe the house was being used as a bomb factory and as the headquarters of the jihadist cell. Two of the suspected jihadists were killed in an explosion at a house there shortly after 23:00 on Wednesday night. One was imam Abdelbaki Es Satty, a Moroccan believed to have been the ringleader. The other was believed to be Youssef Aallaa.
Spanish reports suggest that an imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, may have died in the blast, along with another suspect, Youssef Aallaa. A third - Mohamed Houli Chemlal - was injured, and is among the four charged with terrorist murder.
Among the theories is that the jihadists may have intended to target Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia church with explosives. The blast destroyed the house. Police found 120 gas canisters in the wreckage and now believe the house was being used as a bomb factory and headquarters by the jihadists.
"They were preparing one or several attacks in Barcelona and an explosion in Alcanar stopped this, as they no longer had the material they needed to commit attacks of an even bigger scope," said Catalonia police official Josep Lluis Trapero. Catalan police reckoned that the jihadists had been preparing bigger attacks, and that the accidental blast forced them to adopt a more rudimentary plan - the van rampage.
Mohamed Houli Chemlal confirmed that that was the case, judicial sources said. He told the Madrid court on 22 August that Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia church was among the targets, the sources said.
All four suspects have reportedly said the ringleader of the group was the imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty. He and most of the suspects lived in Ripoll, a picturesque small town north of Barcelona.
Barcelona carjackerBarcelona carjacker
Pictures have emerged of suspected Las Ramblas attacker Younes Abouyaaqoub leaving the scene of the van murders and walking through La Boqueria market. CCTV footage showed suspected Las Ramblas attacker Younes Abouyaaqoub leaving the scene of the van murders and walking through La Boqueria market.
Reports suggest he then headed to the city's university area where he hijacked a white Ford Focus car at knifepoint and killed the driver, Pau Pérez. He then crashed through a police checkpoint, breaking a policewoman's leg, as he tried to leave Barcelona.Reports suggest he then headed to the city's university area where he hijacked a white Ford Focus car at knifepoint and killed the driver, Pau Pérez. He then crashed through a police checkpoint, breaking a policewoman's leg, as he tried to leave Barcelona.
The car was found abandoned a few kilometres to the south, at Sant Just Desvern, with the body of Mr Pérez in the back seat. He had been stabbed and is now confirmed as the 15th victim of the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks. The car was found abandoned a few kilometres to the south, at Sant Just Desvern, with the body of Mr Pérez on the back seat. He had been stabbed - the 15th victim of the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks.
For four days after the attack on Las Ramblas, Abouyaaqoub went on the run. On 21 August, police were tipped off by members of the public who had seen a man of his description in the rural Subirats area, 40km to the west of Barcelona. Police were on the scene and within minutes the suspect, wearing a fake explosives belt, had been shot. Abouyaaqoub went on the run. On 21 August, police were tipped off by members of the public who had seen a man of his description in the rural Subirats area, 40km west of Barcelona. Police were on the scene and within minutes the suspect, wearing a fake explosives belt, had been shot dead.
Barcelona suspect identified by police
Who are the main suspects?Who are the main suspects?
Younes Abouyaaqoub was the main suspect in the Ramblas attack. Born in Morocco, he was among several members of the cell who lived in the Catalan town of Ripoll, 100km (60 miles) north of Barcelona. He was shot dead by police on 21 August. Younes Abouyaaqoub, the suspected van driver, born in Morocco. He was among the jihadists who lived in Ripoll, 100km north of Barcelona.
Ripoll imam Abdelbaki Es Satty is thought to be dead. His flat in the village has been raided by police and there are suggestions that he galvanised the cell. The mosque president said the imam had told him he wanted to go back to Morocco. Belgian officials say that in 2013 he spent three months in the town of Vilvoorde, home to some 20 jihadists who travelled to Syria in 2014. The father of two of the Cambrils attackers has accused him of radicalising the young men. Imam Abdelbaki Es Satty, 45, died in the Alcanar blast. He lived in a modest flat in Ripoll. Belgian officials say he spent three months living in Machelen, a suburb of Brussels, before the March 2016 suicide bombings that killed 32 people in the Belgian capital.
Initially the main focus was on Moussa Oukabir, 17, who was said to have used documents belonging to his brother, Driss Oukabir, 28, to rent the van that mowed down people on Las Ramblas and a second vehicle, later found in the town of Vic and believed to be a getaway car. In 2010-2014 he was in jail in eastern Spain for drug trafficking, police said.
Driss Oukabir turned himself in in Ripoll on Thursday. Like his brother he had Moroccan as well as Spanish nationality. Satty was described by locals in Ripoll as a reclusive, devout Muslim who was close to the Moroccan youths. The father of two of the Cambrils attackers has accused him of radicalising them.
It soon became clear that Moussa Oukabir was among the five attackers shot dead at Cambrils. Driss Oukabir, 28, is among the four charged. He denied being in the jihadist cell but admitted having hired two vans, one of which was used in the Barcelona attack. He said he hired them thinking his friends would use them for a house move.
Police found his passport in the Barcelona van - he claimed that his brother Moussa Oukabir, 17, had stolen his ID. The younger brother was among the five killed by police in Cambrils. The other van was later found in the town of Vic and believed to be a getaway vehicle.
Driss turned himself in in Ripoll on 17 August. The Oukabir brothers had Moroccan as well as Spanish nationality.
The other four attackers killed at Cambrils were Said Aallaa, 18; Mohamed Hychami, 24; Omar Hychami and Houssaine Abouyaaqoub. Said Aallaa is said to have left a note in his room apologising for the harm he was about to cause.The other four attackers killed at Cambrils were Said Aallaa, 18; Mohamed Hychami, 24; Omar Hychami and Houssaine Abouyaaqoub. Said Aallaa is said to have left a note in his room apologising for the harm he was about to cause.
Who else has been arrested?Who else has been arrested?
Along with Driss Oukabir, two other men were detained in Ripoll - Sahal el-Karib, 34, and Mohammed Aallaa, 27. Two other men were detained in Ripoll - Salah el-Karib, 34, and Mohammed Aallaa, 27. The latter is believed to be the owner of Audi car used by the jihadists in Cambrils.
Mohamed Houli Chemlal was arrested in Alcanar following the Wednesday night explosion. French police say the Audi was driven to Paris by Younes Abouyaaqoub and another jihadist on a short weekend trip before the Barcelona attack. Their motive for that is not clear, but they are known to have gone shopping.
More details of the Barcelona suspects
Who are the victims?Who are the victims?
They come from all over the world, with at least 34 nationalities represented.They come from all over the world, with at least 34 nationalities represented.
People from Ireland, the UK, France, Australia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Algeria, Peru, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ecuador, the US, Argentina, Romania, Cuba, Austria and the Philippines are all reported to be among those hurt.People from Ireland, the UK, France, Australia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Algeria, Peru, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ecuador, the US, Argentina, Romania, Cuba, Austria and the Philippines are all reported to be among those hurt.
Read more about the victimsRead more about the victims
Barcelona attack: What the trees sayBarcelona attack: What the trees say
These names of the dead have so far been released:These names of the dead have so far been released:
Two Portuguese nationals are also confirmed dead, a woman aged 74 and her 20-year-old granddaughter.Two Portuguese nationals are also confirmed dead, a woman aged 74 and her 20-year-old granddaughter.
Jared Tucker, a father-of-three, was on honeymoon with his wife of one year, Heidi Nunes, when he died, his father said. Mr Tucker had been enjoying drinks on Las Ramblas when the van struck him.Jared Tucker, a father-of-three, was on honeymoon with his wife of one year, Heidi Nunes, when he died, his father said. Mr Tucker had been enjoying drinks on Las Ramblas when the van struck him.
Ian Moore Wilson was the father of a Vancouver police officer. His wife, Valerie, was injured.Ian Moore Wilson was the father of a Vancouver police officer. His wife, Valerie, was injured.
The mother of Julian Cadman, the seven year old killed on Las Ramblas, was also injured in the attack and is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.The mother of Julian Cadman, the seven year old killed on Las Ramblas, was also injured in the attack and is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Was a bigger group behind the attack?Was a bigger group behind the attack?
So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind both the Las Ramblas and Cambrils attacks and that IS "soldiers" carried them out. But it did not provide any evidence or details to back up the claim.So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind both the Las Ramblas and Cambrils attacks and that IS "soldiers" carried them out. But it did not provide any evidence or details to back up the claim.
Why Spain?Why Spain?
Spain is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations but in recent years has not seen the kind of jihadist violence that has rocked France, the UK, Belgium and Germany. Spain is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, but in recent years has not seen the kind of jihadist violence that has rocked France, the UK, Belgium and Germany.
Still, Spain has been targeted before - several trains in Madrid, the capital, were bombed by al-Qaeda inspired militants in 2004, killing 191 people. Spain's long anti-terror experience
Still, Spain has been targeted before - several trains in Madrid, the capital, were bombed by al-Qaeda inspired militants in 2004, killing 191 people and injuring hundreds of others. It remains Europe's bloodiest terror attack this century.
IS news outlet Amaq said the attack was carried out as part of efforts to target states fighting in the US-led anti-IS coalition.IS news outlet Amaq said the attack was carried out as part of efforts to target states fighting in the US-led anti-IS coalition.
A few hundred Spanish soldiers are in Iraq, training local forces fighting the Sunni militant group. A few hundred Spanish soldiers are in Iraq, training local forces fighting IS.
The number of operations carried out against jihadists in the country has increased significantly since Spain raised its terror alert level to four out of five in June 2015, meaning there was a "high risk" of a terror attack.The number of operations carried out against jihadists in the country has increased significantly since Spain raised its terror alert level to four out of five in June 2015, meaning there was a "high risk" of a terror attack.
Before these attacks, 51 suspected jihadists had already been detained this year, while 69 were detained last year, and 75 in 2015. Security was stepped up in the wake of truck attacks in the French city of Nice in July 2016 and the German capital Berlin in December.
Spain's long anti-terror experience
Security and surveillance was stepped up in the wake of truck attacks in the French city of Nice in July 2016 and the German capital Berlin in December.
On Twitter, the Spanish royal household posted: "They are murderers, nothing more than criminals who are not going to terrorise us. All of Spain is Barcelona."On Twitter, the Spanish royal household posted: "They are murderers, nothing more than criminals who are not going to terrorise us. All of Spain is Barcelona."