Death Toll Climbs in Barcelona Van Terror Attack
UPDATED Aug 21, 1:31 p.m. EDT
The suspected driver of the van that pummeled through Barcelona Thursday, killing 13 people, has been shot dead, police announced.
Younes Abouyaaqoub allegedly killed a motorist and stole his car to make a getaway. Police found Abouyaaqoub in a town 20 miles west of Barcelona Monday, shot, and killed him in a raid, The New York Times reported.
A victim who was stabbed in a related attack in Cambrils last week has also died, bringing the death toll up to 15 people.
Original Story:
At least 13 people, including several children, are dead and more than 100 suffered injuries after a van rammed through the popular tourist spot Las Ramblas in Barcelona on Thursday, Reuters reported.
A white van mounted the sidewalk and barreled through the crowded street where dozens of people were congregated. Witnesses described seeing several people lying on the ground, followed by a quick and heavily armed response from the local police, according to BBC.
“There are lots of ambulances and armed police with assault rifles around now,” one witness told BBC.
The street has been cordoned off, as the police investigation continues.
Barcelona police have officially declared the incident a terror attack, according to Agence-France Presse:
In a separate incident in Cambrils, Spain, situated southwest of Barcelona, terrorists attempted a second van attack, injuring several people. All five suspects in that attempt were shot dead on the scene. Police have arrested at least two people in relation with the Barcelona attacks.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks on its news site Aamaq.
Leaders from across Europe and the U.S. spoke out on social media to condemn the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his nation's solidarity wth Spain, writing in French "We remain united and determined."
President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. was prepared to do "whatever is necessary to help."
Ramming pedestrians with vehicles has become a popular weapon used by terrorists in Europe, with attacks taking place in Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm in the past two years. A truck attack in Nice on July 14 caused the highest fatalities in recent memory using this method, killing 86 people.
UPDATED Aug 21, 1:31 p.m. EDT
The suspected driver of the van that pummeled through Barcelona Thursday, killing 13 people, has been shot dead, police announced.
Younes Abouyaaqoub allegedly killed a motorist and stole his car to make a getaway. Police found Abouyaaqoub in a town 20 miles west of Barcelona Monday, shot, and killed him in a raid, The New York Times reported.
A victim who was stabbed in a related attack in Cambrils last week has also died, bringing the death toll up to 15 people.
Original Story:
At least 13 people, including several children, are dead and more than 100 suffered injuries after a van rammed through the popular tourist spot Las Ramblas in Barcelona on Thursday, Reuters reported.
A white van mounted the sidewalk and barreled through the crowded street where dozens of people were congregated. Witnesses described seeing several people lying on the ground, followed by a quick and heavily armed response from the local police, according to BBC.
BREAKING: Police in Barcelona say a white van has mounted a sidewalk, struck several people in the city's Las Ramblas district.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 17, 2017
“There are lots of ambulances and armed police with assault rifles around now,” one witness told BBC.
The street has been cordoned off, as the police investigation continues.
Barcelona police have officially declared the incident a terror attack, according to Agence-France Presse:
#BREAKING Barcelona police say Las Ramblas van incident 'terrorist attack'
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 17, 2017
In a separate incident in Cambrils, Spain, situated southwest of Barcelona, terrorists attempted a second van attack, injuring several people. All five suspects in that attempt were shot dead on the scene. Police have arrested at least two people in relation with the Barcelona attacks.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks on its news site Aamaq.
Leaders from across Europe and the U.S. spoke out on social media to condemn the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his nation's solidarity wth Spain, writing in French "We remain united and determined."
President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. was prepared to do "whatever is necessary to help."
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
Ramming pedestrians with vehicles has become a popular weapon used by terrorists in Europe, with attacks taking place in Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm in the past two years. A truck attack in Nice on July 14 caused the highest fatalities in recent memory using this method, killing 86 people.
