Van swerves into crowds in Barcelona’s popular Las Ramblas district; police report dead and injured
By William Booth, Karla Adam and Brian Murphy August 17 at 1:38 PM
LONDON — A driver swerved a van onto a pedestrian area Thursday in Barcelona’s historic Las Ramblas district, ramming into crowds and leaving dead and injured people scattered along a stretch of tree-shaded sidewalk. Police described the incident as an apparent terrorist attack.
A police official in Barcelona said at least one person has been confirmed dead and 32 others injured in the van attack. Some of those injured were in serious condition, raising the possibility that the death toll could rise.
Earlier, Spanish police described the carnage as “massive.”
Spanish police did not immediately give details on the driver or other aspects of the incident. The newspaper El Mundo put the death toll as high as 13, citing police sources. The information could not be independently confirmed.
El Pais and the Agence France-Presse news agency also reported that a possible suspect was holed up in a bar. Gunshots were heard in the area, but the source of the gunfire was not clear. Later, the Spanish broadcaster TVE said a possible suspect was arrested, but gave no immediate details.
Cities around the world have been on higher alert for vehicle-linked attacks after terrorist crashes in London, Stockholm, Berlin and other places in the past year.
Islamic State supporters celebrated the Barcelona attack on Thursday and promoted previous threats made against Spain, but the group did not immediately issue a claim of responsibility, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist activity.
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has previously called on supporters to carry out attacks using vehicles. The group has claimed responsibility for car attacks carried out in Europe, as well as on the campus of Ohio State University last year.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...-1215pm:homepage/story&utm_term=.09165204db13
There were good people on both sides. They're equally to blame.
By William Booth, Karla Adam and Brian Murphy August 17 at 1:38 PM
LONDON — A driver swerved a van onto a pedestrian area Thursday in Barcelona’s historic Las Ramblas district, ramming into crowds and leaving dead and injured people scattered along a stretch of tree-shaded sidewalk. Police described the incident as an apparent terrorist attack.
A police official in Barcelona said at least one person has been confirmed dead and 32 others injured in the van attack. Some of those injured were in serious condition, raising the possibility that the death toll could rise.
Earlier, Spanish police described the carnage as “massive.”
Spanish police did not immediately give details on the driver or other aspects of the incident. The newspaper El Mundo put the death toll as high as 13, citing police sources. The information could not be independently confirmed.
El Pais and the Agence France-Presse news agency also reported that a possible suspect was holed up in a bar. Gunshots were heard in the area, but the source of the gunfire was not clear. Later, the Spanish broadcaster TVE said a possible suspect was arrested, but gave no immediate details.
Cities around the world have been on higher alert for vehicle-linked attacks after terrorist crashes in London, Stockholm, Berlin and other places in the past year.
Islamic State supporters celebrated the Barcelona attack on Thursday and promoted previous threats made against Spain, but the group did not immediately issue a claim of responsibility, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist activity.
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has previously called on supporters to carry out attacks using vehicles. The group has claimed responsibility for car attacks carried out in Europe, as well as on the campus of Ohio State University last year.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...-1215pm:homepage/story&utm_term=.09165204db13
There were good people on both sides. They're equally to blame.
