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What we know so far about the Barcelona attack What we know so far about the Barcelona attack
(35 minutes later)
A van has been deliberately driven into pedestrians on one of Barcelona’s most popular boulevards, killing 13 people in what Spanish police called a terrorist attack. Here’s what we we know so far:A van has been deliberately driven into pedestrians on one of Barcelona’s most popular boulevards, killing 13 people in what Spanish police called a terrorist attack. Here’s what we we know so far:
Thirteen people have been killed and dozens injured in the attack that happened shortly after 5pm local time on Thursday, Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn has confirmed.Thirteen people have been killed and dozens injured in the attack that happened shortly after 5pm local time on Thursday, Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn has confirmed.
According to early reports, the white Fiat van sped down the centre of the 1km-long road, which is usually packed with people, until it hit a newspaper kiosk and stopped.According to early reports, the white Fiat van sped down the centre of the 1km-long road, which is usually packed with people, until it hit a newspaper kiosk and stopped.
Television pictures showed people lying on the ground and a crashed van, which had stopped on top of a Joan Míro mosaic in Las Ramblas – an area which is very popular with tourists.Television pictures showed people lying on the ground and a crashed van, which had stopped on top of a Joan Míro mosaic in Las Ramblas – an area which is very popular with tourists.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as hundreds of people tried to flee the scene.Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as hundreds of people tried to flee the scene.
About 80 people sheltered in a church near the incident, while others hid in shops and restaurants.About 80 people sheltered in a church near the incident, while others hid in shops and restaurants.
Catalonia’s regional president, Carles Puigdemont, says there have been two arrests.Catalonia’s regional president, Carles Puigdemont, says there have been two arrests.
Police released a photograph of the man alleged to have rented the van used in the attack. He is identified as Driss Oukabir.Police released a photograph of the man alleged to have rented the van used in the attack. He is identified as Driss Oukabir.
Initially there were reports that one suspect had fled to a nearby bar, but this was later denied.Initially there were reports that one suspect had fled to a nearby bar, but this was later denied.
One witness told Spain’s TVE television he saw the suspect when the van stopped. “It was a person in their 20s, he is very young, brown hair, a slim face,” they said.One witness told Spain’s TVE television he saw the suspect when the van stopped. “It was a person in their 20s, he is very young, brown hair, a slim face,” they said.
Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and cordoned off the area, with several ambulances and police vehicles responding.Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and cordoned off the area, with several ambulances and police vehicles responding.
The city also closed down metro stations in the area, with authorities telling people to stay away from the area. The city closed down metro stations in the area, with authorities telling people to stay away from the area.
Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, cancelled his holiday in Galicia, north-west Spain, to return to Madrid. He tweeted that he was in contact with the local authorities, saying the priority was to help the victims and facilitate the work of security forces.Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, cancelled his holiday in Galicia, north-west Spain, to return to Madrid. He tweeted that he was in contact with the local authorities, saying the priority was to help the victims and facilitate the work of security forces.
World leaders, including Germany’s Angela Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron, condemned the attack and sent condolences to the victims. Theresa May said: “The UK stands with Spain against terror.”World leaders, including Germany’s Angela Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron, condemned the attack and sent condolences to the victims. Theresa May said: “The UK stands with Spain against terror.”
Donald Trump took to Twitter to call on the people of Barcelona to be “tough and strong”.
Boris Johnson, UK’s foreign secretary, said he is doing all he can to identify whether any British people need help in Barcelona.Boris Johnson, UK’s foreign secretary, said he is doing all he can to identify whether any British people need help in Barcelona.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, the group’s propaganda news agency has said.Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, the group’s propaganda news agency has said.