Two suspects have been detained and another was shot and killed in the aftermath of the attack in Catalan capital Barcelona where several people lost their lives and many were wounded. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.
A white rental van drove into the crowds in the afternoon on Las Ramblas promenade in Catalan capital Barcelona’s touristic center. Catalan Interior Minister Joaquim Forn confirmed that 13 people lost their lives in the attack and over 50 others were wounded. Reports vary in the number of the wounded, going as high as 80 in some cases. 15 of the wounded people are reported to be in critical condition.
Catalan police detained the man who rented the van used in the attack. The van was rented from a small Catalan town of Santa Perpetua de Mogoda, 25 km to the north of Barcelona. Another similar van was found in the city Vic, 80 km to the north of Barcelona, and the renter was also detained. One of the detained men was announced by the police as Moroccan-born Spanish citizen Driss Oukabir.
Another suspect refused to stop at a police checkpoint. According to Spanish-language media, the suspect was found dead in his vehicle some 3 km away from the checkpoint where the police shot at the vehicle in an attempt to stop the suspect.
Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau announced an emergency plan has been enacted for the city, the victims of the attack and their relatives. The Municipality announced many events planned in the city center have been cancelled as part of the emergency situation.
Central Spanish Government Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced he will be in Barcelona for coordination efforts.
Many countries issued messages of solidarity with Spain and a joint fight against terror. The Syriac Military Council (MFS) also posted a message of condemnation and solidarity, and added that they “will accomplish [their] mission.”
