At least two terror attacks occurred in Spain on Thursday, August 17, 2017. They happened in Barcelona and Cambrils. A third incident, a house explosion in Alcanar, is currently being investigated for being linked with the other two attacks.
The attacks have claimed at least 14 lives and injured over 100. These numbers are slated to rise as the hours pass.
The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
pic.twitter.com/MpROGYGpLD ‘Families were screaming for their kids.’
Chilling eyewitness accounts from the attack on #Barcelona:
— Breaking News (@newnewspage) August 18, 2017
Attack in Barcelona
At about 5 pm local time on Thursday, a white Fiat van veered off the road and into a crowd outside the Plaça de Catalunya Metro Station.
Estampida ahora mismo en El Corte Inglés de Plaza Catalunya en Barcelona pic.twitter.com/72LLRmJjRk
— Jordi Perez Colome (@jordipc) August 17, 2017
The van continued down the pedestrian concourse in Las Ramblas, a popular area in the heart of Barcelona, for more than 500 metres while crashing into pedestrians until it hit a newspaper kiosk.
The driver of the van reportedly ran away from the scene after the vehicle finally crashed into a newspaper kiosk.
13 people have been confirmed to have died in the Las Ramblas terror attack. Around 100 people were injured and, according to The Guardian, at least 15 of them have been injured seriously.
Two men have been arrested – including Driss Oukabir, who was initially suspected of being the driver – but police have now said neither man was behind the wheel. They remain in custody while the search for the driver continues.
Attack in Cambrils
Police operation in #Cambrils for possible terrorist attack. If you are now in #Cambrils avoid going out. Stay home, stay safe
— Mossos (@mossos) August 17, 2017
A port city with a population of 33,000, Cambrils is around 120km from Barcelona.
Police in Cambrils said they killed an unknown number of suspects during a counter-terrorism raid after the van attack in Barcelona, became the site of the second terror attack to hit Spain on the same day.
Nine hours after the Barcelona attack, it came to light that a second terror attack was underway in Cambrils.
Police shot dead four suspects; a fifth, who was injured and arrested, has since died.
Six bystanders were wounded, one critically and another seriously, in what authorities said was a possible terror attack. A police officer was also lightly injured in the counter-terror operation.
Vehicle terror attacks in Europe, 2017:
London 3/22Stockholm 4/7London 6/3London 6/19Paris 6/19Paris 8/9Barcelona 8/17
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 17, 2017
Explosion in Alcanar
An explosion occurred the night before the Barcelona attack in the town of Alcanar. It flattened a building and killed a woman.
Police say that it was initially thought to be the result of a gas leak but they are now linking it to the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.
Reactions
World leaders came together to condemn the terror attacks and confirmed solidarity with Spail, unequivocally condemning terrorism.
The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017
Concerned and saddened by #Barcelona attack. Our thoughts are with those affected. Doing all we can to identify whether Brits need help.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 17, 2017
Toutes mes pensées et la solidarité de la France pour les victimes de la tragique attaque à #Barcelone. Nous restons unis et déterminés.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 17, 2017
Resolute with Spain in the fight to defeat terrorism we condemn the terrorist attack in Barcelona. Our love & prayers are with the victims.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) August 17, 2017
#Barcelona: Flags at half-mast in Brussels at our headquarters. We stand with the people of Barcelona and Spain. pic.twitter.com/pakZgiq3ht
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) August 18, 2017
Several famous building all over the world have lit up to show their support for the people of Spain. New York City’s One World Trade centre was lit up in the colours of Spain’s flag, red and yellow while the Eiffel Tower turned off its lights in support of Barcelona.
Tonight, from 12:45 am, I will turn my lights off to pay tribute to the victims of the Barcelona attack. #EiffelTower pic.twitter.com/NVtVgAQmE8
— La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) August 17, 2017
The spire at 1 World Trade Center is lit red and yellow tonight in solidarity with the people of Spain. (Photo courtesy Twitter/@NYGovCuomo) pic.twitter.com/VymAGGv4La
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) August 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/AviMayer/s…
