Several people have been injured after a van hit a crowd of people in Barcelona today.
This terrible incident took place near the popular tourist area of Las Ramblas.
Police have advised people to avoid this area.
All public transportation has been stopped around this area
This story is still unfolding so it's not known if terrorist related.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Barcelona...
Another tragedy affecting innocent people! Forty-five years ago, it seemed there were constant reports of airliner hijackings. Security procedures have changed a lot since then, and now you almost never hear about plane hijackings, although when you do, it usually results in the plane being destroyed, along with all the lives onboard.
Vehicles plowing into crowds now seem to be a frequent murderous act . . . hopefully things can be brought about to stop this from happening. Prayers for all affected in Barça .
NOOOOOoooooo!!!!! My heart is breaking....
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40965581
http://abcnews.go.com/International/truck-hits-pedestrians-busy-barcelona-street/story?id=49272618
Definitely terrorism. Found 2 passports in one of the vans (there were two - both rentals), one of a Moroccan citizen, the other a Spanish citizen with an Arabic name. The second van was found some 40 km (or miles) from La Ramba.
13 dead including at least 1 child, over 30 wounded, at least 10 very serious. Possibly one or two terrorists holding hostages in a restaurant.
Tears, tears, tears . . .
56 wounded, 10 very seriously.
I've preferred to wait until some USEFUL information can be provided:
UPDATE as of 7:30pm GMT+1 - Aug 17th 2017 - Note information is very fluid right now, so details are evolving rapidly.
There has been an attack earlier today in Les Rambles in Barcelona. At 5:05pm GMT+1 a van has rammed several pedestrians in the northern part of Les Rambles, next to the Market of La Boqueria. Although the attack hasn't yet been rei vindicated, it all points to a terror attack much like the ones in France, Belgium or Germany earlier this year.
There are 12 dead and 32 injured, some of which seriously, that have been transferred to several hospitals in the city. These figures are unofficial just yet. Minutes after the incident, a subsequent avalanche of people has occurred in the area leaving some more injured. Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) has immediately activated the emergency protocol and roads out of the city are now closed. People in the area affected has been confined into restaurants and shops in the area until the situation is under control. At present, there are hundreds of people in stores and restaurants in that area protected by police officers while a police search and capture operation is being conducted. At least one of the attackers, believed to be armed, is entrenched in a restaurant surrounded by armed police and the GEI (our equivalent to your SWAT). A second suspect is still at large. No shots have been fired.
Please, AVOID the area of Les Rambles for the time being as a wide police operation is still going on. There's a news black on this and police is asking people NOT to post images online of the ongoing police operation to prevent attackers to know what's going on and not to propagate information that hasn't been checked so as not to unnecessarily increase the state of alarm.
Police are insisting not to panic and follow the incident through the official and/or reputable channels as, sadly, a lot of false information is being circulated in the social networks, a pattern we've seen in past attacks elsewhere.
For those in Barcelona,
All major tourist spots (Park Güell, Sagrada Família, etc.) have just been closed out of precaution. Same goes for all the festivals, concerts and other public gatherings (ie. Festes de Gràcia) going on tonight.
Several police checks have been placed at the major exits of the city (ie Avinguda Diagonal or Gran Via among other). Those going to the airport might encounter severe delays.
If you have family or friends holidaying in Barcelona try to contact them to ensure they're all right. Note connectivity might not work correctly as police are using telephone inhibitors in the area to prevent the attackers to use their phones.
I will try to keep you abreast.
I knew to check this forum! Thank you so much Enric.
Thank you, Enric, for taking the time to post this.
My info is coming from Israeli TV, which is relying on eyewitnesses (there are always Israeli tourists around) and local media broadcasts.
One update/correction - one of the 2 or 3 terrorists has been arrested. He's the one with the Spanish passport and is of Moroccan descent - no Moroccan passport found.
Enric, where are the numbers posted? el periodico (and I have no idea how serious this is for news) states that numbers are not confirmed other than 1 dead and numerous wounded.
It is a sad state of affairs, and yes, one of a string of vehicular attacks. People in crowds - easy targets. In some ways, I am thankful it wasn't at one of the Gracia Festival events tonight with numbers packed tight and no where to go. The toll would be worse. These are cancelled for now as well as any other public events.
I was in Barcelona last November and spent a lot of time in the area of these attacks.
Thank you, Enric, for posting this detailed information. Reading this has me in tears and my heart goes out to you and all the people in Barcelona.
Thank you, Enric.
This tragedy is horrific, and I'm choking back tears -- yet, my heart is buoyed by your news of the incredibly fast response of not only the emergency services, but of the graciousness of the business and home owners.
What a juxtaposition -- the two extremes of humanity.
Vivian
Thanks Enric - My thoughts and prayers are with them. we were there this past June on our RS tour in that area.
Sadly, Enric's death toll is reconfirmed. News abounds that one attacker has been arrested, another of possibly 2 was killed in a shoot out.
Thanks to each and every one of you guys for your kind posts.
We Catalans are a very resilient and defying bunch, so tomorrow we'll be back to "normal" and I am going to stroll again Les Rambles like many others will do just to show we go on 'despite' some would prefer we didn't!
@Maria, the figure has been obtained from several "reputable" sources -namely 324.cat, the highly respectable 24h news channel of the Catalan National Broadcaster, and the speaker of City Hall. The figure of 1 dead has been given by our Conseller de l'Interior here in Catalonia (like your Secretary of State, to make a rough comparison), it has been given at 6:30pm (now is 8:33pm) and is the norm of the Secretary to always be very prudent during an emergency.
Regrettably though, I tend to follow the aftermath of many of these incidents (attacks, natural disasters...) and the final figure tends to increase, sometimes dramatically, so I expect a few more dead by tomorrow after the first 24h have passed despite we have very good hospitals here so they'll all be in very good hands. I hope I'm wrong though!
Looking at some footage, there were places that people had no where to go, so yes, Enric, the numbers may rise - as it seems 31 were seriously injured.
@Enric, when you walk las Ramblas, know that you are followed in spirit by those on RS Spain forum.
Thanks Enric for the very useful information you've provided here.
Thanks for sharing this... Truly inspirational. Ordinary folk being heroes to those in need.
Taxis are being offered free of charge for those that need them.
Many restaurants are offering shelter and food to those in need in the area.
If you can't find/reach your accommodation, call 010 and say so, there are many Barcelonians that are offering their homes.
I'm praying for you and for all those affected by this horrific tragedy.
*@Enric, when you walk las Ramblas, know that you are followed in spirit by those on RS Spain forum. *
Hear! Hear!
@Vivian, I hope we can do that together one of these days! :)
Enric,
You have been so generous and patient with many of us in sharing your knowledge and sage advice regarding Barcelona and surrounding areas. Hopefully, you feel all of us walking in spirit with you when next you walk Las Ramblas.
UPDATE as of 9pm GMT+1 - Aug 17th, 2017 -remember, as I said, information is fluid and changes rapidly.
Thank you for the updates, Enric. Praying for the injured & their families and the hospital workers.
Dear Enric,
Thank you so much for the updates.
I've also been following the details of this latest horrific attack, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. I hope all those responsible are swiftly brought to justice!
Enric, thanks for the on-the-spot updates!
Living here... least I can do, right? :)
Thank you, Enric, for keeping us posted. There is no way this will stop our upcoming visit! I refuse to let terrorists win! Best wishes to you and all in Barcelona!
@enric,
Thoughts and prayers from Montreal.
I have tickets booked to visit Barcelona in october and have no intention of cancelling.
I will make sure to walk on La Rambla as well.
Be strong.
Claude
UPDATE as of 11:30pm GMT+1 - Aug 17th 2017
Latest information about the distribution of injured among the different hospitals in the city.
Note the figure has increased to 99 now because some of the injured went themselves directly to the hospitals. These are among those with minor injuries.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHdtA4lWsAABEYH.jpg:large
If anyone needs help understanding this list, please say so here, I'll gladly tell you where the hospital is and how to get there.
So tragic and so maddening. We head over to Spain on Sunday and will be in Barcelona next week.
Thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected right now. We cannot let these things keep us from living our lives.
Thank you for your updates, Enric. I was about to go meet my friends for lunch to discuss our upcoming trip to Spain (Madrid, Seville and Barcelona) when the news broke about this horrific attack. We all agreed that to change our plans would be to let the terrorists win so therefore, we will still plan to embark on our adventure in a little more than two weeks. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected.
UPDATE as of 2:45am GMT+1 - Aug 18th 2017
The incident is not over. It's developing very fast, like in a movie.
The previous incident in the outskirts of Barcelona, in which a car has jumped a police control and a chase has followed, it has been stopped and, after a shooting, the driver has been killed, is now confirmed NOT to be related with the terrorists attack.
ALCANAR
A second van, likely for an escape to France, has been found in Vic, North of Barcelona. Initially, it has been treated as a potential hazard in case it was rigged with explosives, but it wasn't. There are two people arrested so far linked to this afternoon's attack, both outside Barcelona, one in Ripoll, near Vic, and the other in Alcanar, 200 km South from Barcelona, near the border with Valencia. Yesterday there was an explosion in a house in this small sleepy town with a number of injured and a few dead, the latter occupants of the house. Initially, it was thought to be a gas explosion, now Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police), is linking this incident to someone thought to be involved in today's attack in Barcelona. It's thought they might have been handling gas canisters for a potential use in the attack in Barcelona and an accident blew them up.
CAMBRILS
And that's not all, there has been an armed incident just an hour ago, at around 1:30am GMT+1, between our Mossos (police) and a group of individuals near the port of Cambrils, a very popular tourist resort near Tarragona, at 120km South from Barcelona. The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack. A van has tried to run over a group of people and has crashed into a patrol car, and an officer has been seriously injured as well as four other pedestrians. There has been a chase until the van has crashed and turned over near the promenade, five individuals with weapons have emerged from the van and a shooting has occurred. Four terrorists have been shot dead and a fifth has been injured and arrested. No other officers have been injured. It has been confirmed that they were carrying also a sort of explosive belts, albeit confirmation on whether these are real explosives or not is not yet certain. The situation is unfolding so details are scarce. The police operation is still open and more arrests are expected in the next hours. If you're staying in Cambrils stay indoors until the alert is lifted. The situation has just been notified "under control" by the Police but it's still advised to stay indoors.
Check EmergènciesCatalunya (https://twitter.com/emergenciescat?lang=en) for the latest information. This is "the" official channel for emergency information in Catalonia -sort like FEMA in the US.
Thank you Enric for your updates and strong resilience in the face of this tragedy. Please know that there are many of us here on RS who stand with you and wish you and your fellow Catalans peace and support during this time. If you can think of anything we can do as a community to help you and your neighbors - please let us know. We will be visiting in October and we would never let an event like this change our plans.
Amy
My heart goes out to everyone affected. We fell in love with Barcelona 3 years ago and can't wait to return on Sept. 26. Thank you Enric for all the updates!
Enric, I'm deeply grateful for your updates. This is so very kind of you and I know the whole community appreciates your updates to this horrible situation.
My heart is breaking for the people of Barcelona as well as the other locations.
Enric, thank you for your updates! Despite what you may read in the news, many caring people in the US are thinking of you all!!!
The words are hard to type......again. I'm sick of saying my heart is breaking and my thoughts are with everyone hurt by these cowards. But it is and they are. I feel like the herd of antelope simply trying to drink from the river while the crocodiles lurk waiting to attack. After one has been killed the herd goes back to drinking. I will be in barcelona in a few weeks. And I will love every second of it. They will not win.
Thanks Eric, really appreciate your facts and feelings. We'll be there end of August and be touring and spending money. Our thoughts and prayers that this is over for you and all of us.
Maia
UPDATE as of 4:00pm GMT+1 - Aug 18th 2017
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES: tel. +34 900 400 012
After a very busy night with the incidents in Cambrils and the continuous Police checks in the exits of Barcelona, things have calmed down very much now. "Normality" has returned to Les Rambles and Plaça Catalunya were thousands of Barcelonians and tourist alike (the City Police has estimated 100,000) have gathered at noon (12:00), alongside Catalan authorities and Spanish authorities, for a minute of silence and a display of homage: http://bilder4.n-tv.de/img/incoming/crop19990179/6144992213-cImg_16_9-w680/59663bcb7a4e6fa82c553914cfffac0a.jpg
Unfortunately, false information and rumors have spread (again) in the social media, as it has happened in other major incidents elsewhere. Authorities are insisting that please DO NOT be an accessory to this despicable practice. DO NOT share unsubstantiated information and get the facts ONLY from reputable sources. The best sources are https://twitter.com/emergenciescat (Emergencies of Catalonia, the agency coordinating response teams) and https://twitter.com/mossos (Catalan Police, in charge of the operations) which are emitting messages in several languages so everybody can be kept abreast of the latest developments. Also local news outlets like www.324.cat and http://elnacional.cat/en/ or other serious journalism websites like bbc.co.uk , www.reuters.com or www.afp.com among others (tip: avoid tabloids at all cost!)
Injured people continue to be treated in some 15 hospitals in the city. This attack has caused local victims as well as victims for 34 different nationalities: https://twitter.com/emergenciescat?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor If you need to find more information please see my previous news flash in this thread for telph numbers etc. A call that has circulated in whatsapp is no longer in place: there's no need for more interpreters, the situation is covered. Same goes for blood donation, those willing to donate blood should visit the hospitals during the next days as blood is perishable.
The death toll has increased to 14, as 1 local female who was knifed in the attack in Cambrils last night has now deceased. There are 65 people still being treated of which 17 injured in critical condition: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHhHc0DXoAIaW-e.jpg
I prefer to focus on the human aspect of this tragedy and I will not provide details on the ongoing police investigations, much less on the gore aspects, so as not to participate in the charade of some media (and a few politicians, local and foreign alike!) which are coming to unfounded conclusions and providing false or uncorroborated details as well as despicable imagery which exclusively belongs to the private sphere of those affected. Shame on you and STOP the media circus, please! If and when information is released through the proper channels I'll be glad to pass it on... if anyone is interested.
On a personal level: Thank you very much to all here for your support and also, and most especially, to the Catalan government, the Catalan Police and Emergency Services for their magnificent job coordinating the response to this tragedy. And also to all the tourists in Barcelona and my fellow Barcelonians for the great show of solidarity, civility, and respect for others, including, of course, towards the Muslim community in the city. There'll be time to explain, but the numerous small gestures one saw yesterday are heart moving: neighbours offering their homes, tourists offering themselves as interpreters, taxi drivers sharing their cars with people in need, neighbourhoods in the north of the city feeding the drivers that stood stuck in the rapid roads for hours on end... same than in Paris, in London, in Nice, in Stockholm. That's why WE will prevail.
If you have any information call the Police hotline at +34 937 285 220
Dear Enric,
You've been a great source of hope and support for many, I'm sure. Thank you!
Wouldn't it be nice if the media focused on the positive, the kind gestures of strangers helping each other, rather than on the negative?
There'll be time to explain, but the numerous small gestures one saw yesterday are heart moving: neighbours offering their homes, tourists offering themselves as interpreters, taxi drivers sharing their cars with people in need, neighbourhoods in the north of the city feeding the drivers that stood stuck in the rapid roads for hours on end... same than in Paris, in London, in Nice, in Stockholm. That's why WE will prevail.
Your comments reminded me of a couple of my favorite quotes:
"How do we change the world? -one act of kindness at a time." - Author unknown.
And.
"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see" - Mark Twain
Thanks for your kindness Enric! :-)
What Priscilla said ...
... you guys gonna make me blush! Just putting my little contribution to make "this" more palatable, especially to those "in" Barcelona right now and that can be a bit "lost" on what's going on and how things are developing -not that there aren't other better sources, but this forum is familiar to some.
Thanks Enric. Our hearts are with you.
Continue prayers for the people of Barcelona and Enric who is still keeping us informed.
Our river cruise (this past June that I was on) ... tour manager is from Barcelona. Our travel agent we use at work told us he is fine but was on Holiday in Slovenia. Glad Dejaun is safe.
... one good news: the number of critically injured has decreased from 15 to 12!
Thanks for the good news Enric!
You must be exhausted, staying up till the wee hours to keep us informed.
I hope you can get some rest this weekend.
LOL!... yep, I think I have decided I will certainly not go into the journalism profession, too little sleep, hahaha! Kudos to the professionals.
Well... You certainly fooled me, I thought you were (are) a professional journalist!
I received more detailed information from you than from the news.
On Saturday 26 of August, at 18:00 there will be a demonstration against terrorism and this barbaric acts at Barcelona. The starting point will be at Jardinets de Gràcia (Diagonal with Passeig de Gràcia) and it will be along Passeig de Gràcia until Plaça Catalunya, where it will end. This demonstration is organized by the Catalan Government and Barcelona City Council. The motto is clear: "No tenim por"
If you are in Barcelona that day, please join us. It doesn't matter if you are a visitor, tourist or a resident, or live outside Barcelona. Let's say clearly that we will stay together against terror.
If you can't go to next Saturday's demonstration, you can go tomorrow to Barcelona City Council, at Consell de Cent hall (entrance via Carrer Ciutat), and write at the condolences book, from 10 AM to 8 PM. There will be long queues, but is totally worth it. Also,you will see Consell de Cent hall, which forms part of the history of Barcelona! :))
Any news on the "missing" little Aussie boy?
Reports down here say he has been found, in hospital, and other reports say his whereabouts are still unknown?
It seems it hasn't been any Australian boy missing after all. This has been a story that has spanned out of control. The family, in Australia, posted smthng in Facebook and went from there, but the latest from the Catalan Police (Mossos d'Esquadra) is that all the injured were accounted for from the day of the incident, so were their relatives in the area: https://twitter.com/mossos/status/898904407982690304
Update: Sun Aug, 20th - 3pm
The Australian boy wasn't indeed lost, sadly he was one of the dead victims of the attack, but Mossos did not release this information for two reasons: (1) our laws are very protective of minors and are very restrictive about the release of their details to the general public, and (2) the father was flying in and he had to be personally informed before any statement could be made. The information to the public has been able to be confirmed today. My deepest condolences to the family.
I don't post much at all, but read these boards frequently and am so looking forward to 2.5 (way too short I know!!) days in Barcelona before a cruise in just under two weeks. Thank you Enric for all that you post and share and I want to also express our sorrow and despair really over this sad and horrific attack. My husband and I look forward to visiting the city and we know we will be back - and we will know to stay longer!
Lisa
Thank you sambycat
Thank you Enric,
I understand the need for privacy. The tragic news has just been released down here this morning. What can one say!!! :(
We will be there in just under a month so will pay our respects.
Lynn
UPDATE as of 9:00pm GMT+1 - Aug 21st 2017
The Police operation has concluded earlier today, in its more visual part anyway, with the hunt for the driver of the killer van in Les Rambles, Younes Abouyaaqoub, that has been cornered and killed in Subirats, a village 25km from Barcelona, in the Penedès region, after a call from the public to the Terror Alert phone line. More details: http://www.elnacional.cat/en/news/reports-mossos-subirats-driver-attacks_184383_102.html Four days later, the 12-strong terrorist cell has now been dismantled with 8 of them being dead and 4 detained. Now the operation will continue for several weeks, if not months, trying to identify international connections, modus operandi, etc. in conjunction with the Police forces and intelligence services of allied countries. The Imam of one of the mosques of Ripoll, a town north of Catalonia, near the French border seems to have been the intellectual instigator of the attack. He has been confirmed dead in the explosion in Alcanar, last Aug. 16th. There seem to be potential connections with known extremists in Belgium, where he flew on several occasions. Also, the car used in the attempt of running down people in Cambrils the night of the 18th was also spotted earlier in the month in Paris. The plot of the story is quite more complex, those interested can follow it up in the paper linked before, the English version of a local paper which is one of the more knowledgeable sources.
The provisional death toll is 15, as it was later discovered that in his escape the terrorist knifed a local driver (34) to steal his car. There are around 50 people still being treated in hospitals, but the critically injured have now decreased to 7. The IDs of the deceased have now all been confirmed and their names released: http://www.elnacional.cat/en/news/fifteen-lives-cut-short-attacks_184002_102.html Aside from locals, there have also been injured people from 34 different nationalities: German, Algerian, Argentinian, Australian, Austrian, Belgian, Moroccan, Canadian, Chinese, Colombian, Romanian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Ecuadorian, Egyptian, Spanish, US, Filipino, French, British, Greek, Dutch, Taiwanese, Honduran, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Kuwaiti, Macedonian, Mauritian, Pakistani, Peruvian, Dominican and Turkish.
Several demonstrations, from Barcelonians and tourists in Les Rambles and from the Muslim Community in Catalonia wrapped by the rest of the population among other, have been celebrated yesterday and today. There's a major demonstration scheduled for next Saturday 26th at 6pm in the center of Barcelona to rally against terrorism and in remembrance of the dead and injured. This slogan has rapidly spread among Catalans and visitors: #NoTincPor (=I am not afraid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i4Rk0vF6yg
If you're visiting you'll find that life has returned to "normal" and the city is fully operational.
I think this should be the last update of the series as the current threat is over. I hope have been able to quell the thirst for information as the events were unfolding.
Thank you everybody for your support, and I invite you to stroll by Les Rambles next time you visit my city, Barcelona, to pay your respects -if you want- for the ones murdered in this terrorist attack on 17th August 2017 at 17:05h... 17-17-17! The whole boulevard is full of candles, flowers, and notes in remembrance of those killed: http://www.rac1.cat/r/GODO/R1/p0/WebSite/Imagenes/2017/08/21/20170818-636386920311606550_20170818223103-kzNF--5184x3456@RAC1-Web.jpg
With love,
Enric
I've always been one to trust my instincts; and I'm not exactly famous for my courage. But I have no concerns about visiting Barcelona in two months time. Pretty sure we won't be alone!
Thank you, especially to Enric, for the information provided. My thoughts are with the people of Barcelona, as well as those that were injured, and the families of those who lost their lives during this attack. It has been a goal of mine to visit Barcelona, and other cities in Spain for the past year, and I am scheduled to arrive in Barcelona next month. I do admit, however to being very nervous about my travels. This stems in part from my past recent experiences in Paris being in the vicinity of the Nov 13 attacks. I continued my travels then throughout France, and I'll never forget that experience, but I do get emotional when I recall that time. I share this to say that although I don't think this incident should affect others from traveling, I am looking for signs that I should follow through with my own plans. The update today was very helpful. Thank you all for contributing to this forum. I'm glad I checked in.
Gracies, Enric. This wrap up was well presented and appreciated. No tinc por.
@traylaparks
You won't be alone, because I'll be there. :-)
Will arrive on october 7th for one beautifull week in Barcelona.
Already reserved the Sagrada Familia and also a concert in the Paula de la musica Catalane
The event will not stop me from visiting Barcelona.
I refuse to get nervous or change my plans.
When you look at this without emotions(though I absolutly understand that everyone is different), what are the chances?
1. 6 millions people living in Barcelona, hundreds of thousands of tourists every day.
100 hundred very unlucky people were at a very bad place at a very bad moment.
The chances are very low.
I won't push my luck and visit syria or Irak, where the bet is not worth it, but will continue to visit Europe without a doubt
I'm with the Catalans in spirit and very much looking forward to visiting and meeting them.
Ciao
We will also be in Barcelona October 4-9! Can't wait.
We were in Munich when the Berlin Christmas market attack happened. The next morning we went directly to the Christmas markets. The definition of terrorism is to terrify us from living our lives as they should be lived. I refuse to succumb to that.......
I couldn't believe this when I heard it on the news. When is this going to stop? It is scary to think about the world we live in and we aren't safe anywhere anymore. I really do pray for the world.
Thank you so much, Enric, for taking the time to explain. Continuing to pray for the families affected. We'll be coming to Spain next month.
