At least 13 people died and 50 others were injured on Thursday when a driver ploughed a van into pedestrians on one of Barcelona’s busiest streets in what police called a “terrorist attack.” Speaking to reporters, regional Interior Minister Joaquim Forn said the toll could rise. Earlier, an emergency services source told AFP two people had died, and regional Catalan police have said 10 of the 50 injured are in serious condition.
The famous las Ramblas boulevard is one of Barcelona’s busiest streets, normally thronged with tourists and street performers until well into the night. “Huge collision on las Ramblas in Barcelona by an individual driving a van, many injuries,” a police statement said.
The area around the incident was cordoned off, with several ambulances and police vehicles on the scene, an AFP correspondent said. “Don’t go near the affected zone,” Catalan police tweeted.
Catalan Police confirmed arrest of one person ‘treating him as a terrorist’.