At least 13 people were killed and 50 others injured when a van plowed into a crowd in the turist area in Barcelona, Spain, on Thursday. Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn officially confirmed these numbers.
According to some media reports, the death toll could be even higher, up to 20 people. However, this still has to be confirmed.
One suspect was arrested after the incident described as a terror attack by Spanish police.
This is how far the van traveled before it came to a stop. #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/3Z8PeODrEx
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) 17 August 2017
Spanish police have identified one of the suspects as Driss Oukabir. He had allegedly rented the white Fiat van used in the attack. It is not clear if he is the person who has been arrested.
ÚLTIMA HORA | La policía identifica a uno de los implicados en el atentado de Barcelona: Driss Oukabir https://t.co/7GVta71l4U pic.twitter.com/pUDR1pAmhy
— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) 17 August 2017
A second van linked to the attack (assumed to have been used as getaway car) has been found in the town of Vic in Catalonia.
Rumors are also circulating that somebody has opened fire on police in Barcelona but no confirmation has appeared yet. Spanish media had also reported that two armed men were holed up in a bar in downtown. However, police later dismissed those reports.
Report: Somebody has opened fire on police in second possible attack. #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/EiqOymOsvj
— Fox News (@FoxNews) 17 August 2017
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack via its news agency Amaq.
It was the latest terrorist attack using a vehicle in Europe. The incident followed similar attacks in Nice, Berlin and London that have resulted in killing of over 100 people in total.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggested to use General Pershing’s methods to combat terrorism. During his presidential campaign Trump cited a dubious legend of dipping bullets in pig’s blood, shooting 49 of 50 terrorists, and telling the last one to tell his friends what would happen if they committed further terrorist attacks.
Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught. There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 17 August 2017
Photos from the scene:
