By Peter Olorunnisomo – Fourteen people have died and dozens were injured after a white van ploughed into crowds in the busy tourist area of Barcelona’s famous Las Ramblas on Thursday, police and local officials say.
The vehicle sped along the pedestrian area, mowing down people and sending others fleeing for cover. Catalonia’s regional president said at least 12 people have died, which was later confirmed to be 14, and 80 people are being treated in hospital following the attack.
Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the driver of the van fled the scene on foot while the Catalan regional head said two people had been arrested following the attack.
The Police are treating it as a terrorist attack and the Spanish media are reporting that one of the dead is another suspect who died in a shootout. El Mundo newspaper said the shootout happened in Sant Just Lesvern, on the outskirts of the city.
Relatedly, the Spanish police have released a handout with information about, and a photograph of Maghrebi Driss Oukabir, who is suspected of renting the van used to run down pedestrians in Las Ramblas.
However, the self-titled Islamic State group (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the deadly attack through its Amaq news agency.
So far the police department for Catalonia have confirmed on twitter that a driver ran into two police officers at a checkpoint in Barcelona earlier on Thursday (August 17).
They added that nobody was held up in a bar in Barcelona as was earlier being feared and speculated. This contradicted earlier claims that two armed men were entrenched in an establishment near the area of the attack.
El Periodico reproted that there was gunfire in the area of La Boqueria Market, although it did not cite the source of the information.
The Police described the incident as a “massive crash” and told people to avoid Placa Catalunya in Barcelona. They also requested that nearby metros were to stay closed.
During the period of the incident people near the scene took shelter in shops and restaurants.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, said on Twitter that he was en route to Barcelona and will coordinate efforts to reinforce security.
And in the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May says her thoughts are with the victims of the “terrible attack” in Barcelona.
“The UK stands with Spain against terror,” she added.
Officials in the city say at least 13 people were killed and 80 hurt when a van ploughed into pedestrians on the main street of Las Ramblas.
The Foreign Office has issued advice to tourists to “stay inside and away from Las Ramblas” and wait for police to say it is safe to move.
It said it was in contact with local authorities.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “Terrible reports from Barcelona. My thoughts are with those killed and injured, and the emergency services working to save lives.”
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, also expressed his condolences on Twitter. “Concerned and saddened by #Barcelona attack. Our thoughts are with those affected. Doing all we can to identify whether Brits need help,” he wrote.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London which has seen two similar vehicle attacks in recent months, tweeted his thoughts were “with the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack in the great city of Barcelona”.
“London stands with Barcelona against the evil of terrorism,” he added.
Rizza Javier, from Essex, was eating with her husband at a nearby restaurant in Barcelona.
“We suddenly heard and saw people screaming, crying and running in the street, some came inside the restaurant so I grabbed my son to the upper floor of restaurant.
“A bus stopped right in front and a couple who came out of the bus saw the van, they told us there was a van who rammed into people in the street,” she said.
The family were forced to stay locked in the restaurant for two hours, she said.
“We were all scared because the van was near the restaurant and we were told the terrorist was on foot.”
Aamer Anwar, a lawyer and rector at the University of Glasgow, was walking in Las Ramblas when he heard screaming.
He said a shopkeeper told him five or six people were badly injured and described the scene as “chaos”
He said the police “seemed to be looking for someone. They were going very carefully, very cautiously, stall to stall.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker, who played for Barcelona in the 1980s, tweeted: “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.”
In recent past, the city of London has been attacked in Manchester and Westminster in such style attack which has proven catastrophic to both tourists and the unsuspecting local people pursuing their pleasures and interests.
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
