Barcelona attack: 13 killed as van rams crowds

Thirteen people died and dozens were injured when a van ploughed into crowds in Barcelona's famous Las Ramblas area, Catalan police and local officials say.

The rented vehicle sped along the pedestrian area that is popular with tourists, mowing down people and sending others fleeing for cover.
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said it was a "jihadist attack".
Two people have been arrested, but police say neither was the driver, who fled on foot.
Early on Friday morning, Catalan police said an operation was taking place in town of Cambrils, to the south-west of Barcelona, in response to a "possible terrorist attack" and have told people there to stay indoors.
The authorities also say an explosion on Wednesday evening at a house outside Barcelona that left one person dead was connected to the Las Ramblas attack.
Dozens of gas cylinders were found at the house in the town of Alcanar, about 100km (60 miles) south west of Barcelona, and Reuters quoted a police source as saying residents were preparing explosives.
In another incident, police shot dead a man who drove into officers at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Barcelona, but the authorities said there was no evidence that he was connected to the attack in Las Ramblas.


Police have released a photo of a man named as Driss Oubakir, whose documents were used to rent the van involved in the attack.
Local media say he is in his 20s, and was born in Morocco. However, latest reports suggest he has told police he was not involved, and that his documents were stolen.

Image copyright Spanish National Police/ HANDOUT

Image caption Police released this photo of Driss Oubakir, whose documents were used to rent the van

So-called Islamic State has said it was behind the van attack in Las Ramblas, saying in a brief statement carried by its Amaq news agency that it was carried out by "Islamic State soldiers". The group gave no further evidence or details to back this claim.
The attack happened at the height of the season in one of Europe's top tourist destinations.
Witnesses said the van deliberately targeted people, weaving from side to side as it drove down the boulevard.
Vehicles have been used to ram into crowds in a series of attacks across Europe since July last year.




BBC News