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DEADLY BLAST

House explosion ‘linked to Barcelona terror attack’ leaves one dead as ISIS claims responsibility for van massacre which killed 13 and injured 100

Did you see what happened in Barcelona? Are you in the Las Ramblas area now? Please get in touch with us on 0207 782 4398 or email mark.hodge@the-sun.co.uk

A HOUSE explosion which left one dead in Catalonia last night has been linked to the depraved ISIS-claimed van attack in Barcelona which killed at least 13 people and injured 100.

Cops have confirmed that two men have been arrested while another suspect has reportedly been shot and killed during a gun fight with brave officers in Sant Just Desvern – a small town just outside of the Catalan capital.

A white van suspected of ploughing into pedestrians in Barcelona this afternoon

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A white van suspected of ploughing into pedestrians in Barcelona this afternoon

A scene of horror as police evacuate the area in response to the van attack

Alamy
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A scene of horror as police evacuate the area in response to the van attack

Two people pictured lying injured on the ground after the horrifying van attack

Reuters
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Two people pictured lying injured on the ground after the horrifying van attack

A body covered with a foil blanket on the ground which is splattered with blood

Reuters
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A body covered with a foil blanket on the ground which is splattered with blood

Another victim is pictured lying face down next to a news stand in the busy area of the city

Reuters
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Another victim is pictured lying face down next to a news stand in the busy area of the city

One of the vans involved in the attack was reportedly rented by Driss Oukabir. Picture issued by police.

Alamy Live News
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One of the vans involved in the attack was reportedly rented by Driss Oukabir. Picture issued by police.

A graphic showing the sequence of the depraved van attack in Barcelona

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A graphic showing the sequence of the depraved van attack in Barcelona

The debris of a house destroyed by a gas explosion in Alcanar which cops say is linked to the van attack

EPA
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The debris of a house destroyed by a gas explosion in Alcanar which cops say is linked to the van attack
Seriously injured people tended to on Las Ramblas following Barcelona

The two suspects in custody - a Spanish national from Melilla and a Moroccan - were directly involved in the attack but neither was driver of the van, authorities said.

A huge explosion at a house in a town outside Barcelona last night is related to the terror rampage, cops said.

One person died and seven others were injured, one of them seriously, in the blast at a home in the town of Alcanar.

Firefighters believe a build-up of gas caused the explosion which destroyed the home while authorities found about 20 butane and propane gas bottles at the scene.

More people were hurt in a second blast today, believed to have been caused by an accumulation of gas at the site of the first blast.

One of the vans involved in the deadly attack was reportedly rented by a man named as Driss Oukabir. According to local media, Oukabir is a Spanish national of North African descent.

Despite cops naming and picturing Oukabir, there have been reports that he has handed himself into a police station in Ripoll, in northern Catalonia.

The man purporting to be Oukabir has reportedly claimed that his documentation had been stolen and insisted he had no part in the deadly attack.


  • WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
  • A van hit a crowd in the tourist hotpsot Las Ramblas in Barcelona, an area packed with people, at around 5pm local time on Thursday
  • Thirteen people have died and 100 more were injured in the attack
  • Spanish police are treating it as a terror attack
  • The driver of the vehicle was seen fleeing on foot and a manhunt is underway
  • At least two men have been arrested in connection with the attack but neither were the driver of the vehicle, cops said
  • A driver later ran into two officers at a Barcelona police checkpoint
  • It was not immediately clear whether the incident was linked
  • Officials are linking the van attack with an explosion that killed one person at a house 124 miles away from Las Ramblas on Wednesday

Catalan cops have said officers shot and killed a man who was in a car that hit two officers at a traffic blockade.

Local media reports say a white Ford Focus ran over the officers and then was intercepted by police 1.9 miles from where the terror attack happened in the city’s Las Ramblas district.

Authorities did not indicate if the shooting was related to the van attack.

The ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq has said that “soldiers” of the brainwashed death cult carried out the attack.

The propaganda outlet said via messaging app Telegram: "The executors of the Barcelona attack were soldiers of the Islamic State.”

Moment man is lead away by police in Barcelona following Las Ramblas

Another victim is pictured in the shopping district with blood splattered on the ground

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Another victim is pictured in the shopping district with blood splattered on the ground

A victim pictured lying on the ground following the deadly rampage

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A victim pictured lying on the ground following the deadly rampage

Armed cops were seen storming La Boqueria open air market

Twitter/Adolfo_poveda
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Armed cops were seen storming La Boqueria open air market
Armed police at La Boqueria market in Barcelona after two suspects entered restaurant following white van attack

Aerial photos show injured lying on the road in Las Ramblas

TWITTER/JOSELUIS_MD
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Aerial photos show injured lying on the road in Las Ramblas

Graphic scenes as the injured receive basic treatment from stunned witnesses

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Graphic scenes as the injured receive basic treatment from stunned witnesses

Injured victims being treated on the ground in Las Ramblas

Getty Images - Getty
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Injured victims being treated on the ground in Las Ramblas

Armed cops pictured in the Catalan capital

AFP
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Armed cops pictured in the Catalan capital

Police locked down the Las Ramblas in the hours after the attack

AFP
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Police locked down the Las Ramblas in the hours after the attack

Emergency workers pictured near a dead body in the Spanish city

Reuters
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Emergency workers pictured near a dead body in the Spanish city

A sea of ambulances pictured near where the twisted mass killing took place

Getty Images - Getty
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A sea of ambulances pictured near where the twisted mass killing took place

Scared people with their arms raised being evacuated from the area following the van assault

EPA
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Scared people with their arms raised being evacuated from the area following the van assault

Carlos Mauri, who claims to have witnessed the shooting of the suspect in Sant Just Desvern, told La Vanguardia that he heard screaming and shouting before bullets were fired.

He said: "I suddenly heard screams. I thought it was a fight and I went to the balcony.

"There was a lot of police and they were shouting at the man in the car 'put up your hands, put up your hands'.

Carlos said he heard one or two shots and then the man was dead.

The "massive crash" involved a white van mounting the pavement, police said as they confirmed they are treating it as a terror attack.

The scene in Sant Just Desvern where a man was reportedly shot and killed by cops

EPA
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The scene in Sant Just Desvern where a man was reportedly shot and killed by cops

A police handout picture showing the scene where a driver ran over two cops at a road blockade

PA:Press Association
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A police handout picture showing the scene where a driver ran over two cops at a road blockade

People pictured hiding in shops during the police operation

Reuters
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People pictured hiding in shops during the police operation

Investigators pictured working through the night following the terror attack which has rocked Spain

EPA
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Investigators pictured working through the night following the terror attack which has rocked Spain

Terrified people are guided to safety by brave officers

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Terrified people are guided to safety by brave officers

Forensic police officers search for clues near the area where the attack took place

Reuters
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Forensic police officers search for clues near the area where the attack took place

Dozens of armed cops pictured patrolling the city

Reuters
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Dozens of armed cops pictured patrolling the city

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said he is in contact with all authorities.

A senior police official in Barcelona said the rampage was "clearly a terror attack, intended to kill as many people as possible."

The driver of the rented Fiat van, registration 7082 JWD, ran away from on foot after the smash.

Investigators also found a SECOND van 70km away in the town of Vic that they believe is connected with the attack.

Cops have ordered shops and cafes in the area to shut and are searching for a man between 5ft 5in and 5ft 6in dressed in blue and white striped clothes.

The crash van entered a pedestrian area at the junction of Las Ramblas and Placa Catalunya.

Terrified people being evacuated from the busy tourist hotspot in Barcelona

AFP
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Terrified people being evacuated from the busy tourist hotspot in Barcelona

A man pictured carrying a small child following the deadly terror attack

AP:Associated Press
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A man pictured carrying a small child following the deadly terror attack

An injured victim is carried away by emergency workers

AP:Associated Press
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An injured victim is carried away by emergency workers

The van ploughed down the busy street smashing into terrified shoppers

Alamy Live News
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The van ploughed down the busy street smashing into terrified shoppers

A man is given medical treatment on the ground by emergency workers

Alamy Live News
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A man is given medical treatment on the ground by emergency workers

Armed cops swooped on the area and quickly evacuated thousands of scared tourists and shop workers

AFP
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Armed cops swooped on the area and quickly evacuated thousands of scared tourists and shop workers

The van attack is the latest ISIS-claimed assault in which a vehicle was used as a weapon

AP:Associated Press
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The van attack is the latest ISIS-claimed assault in which a vehicle was used as a weapon
'Multiple deaths and injuries' after white van mounted pavement and struck several people in Las Ramblas district of Barcelona

Reports say it ploughed into people outside a Kosher food shop, although this is yet to be confirmed.

The end of Las Ramblas close to Barcelona's beach has reportedly been turned into a makeshift "field hospital" while the city's blood banks are said to be "full" from donations.

Marc Esparcia, a 20-year-old student who lives in Barcelona, told the BBC: "There was a loud noise and everybody ran for cover.

"There were a lot people, lots of families [at the site], this is one of the most visited sites in Barcelona.

"I think several people were hit. It was horrible, there was panic. Terrible."

He said he was now taking cover inside a Starbucks coffee shop.

Barcelona FC wrote in a statement: "Our hearts are made smaller by this attack. Sending strength and love to the victims, their families and the citizens of Barcelona".

A local festival planned for tonight has been cancelled in response to the slaughter.

Police check hostages in response to Barcelona terror attack
Video shot from above 'shows white van which mounted pavement before hitting people' in Barcelona

First responders rush to help the injured in the Barcelona terror attack

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First responders rush to help the injured in the Barcelona terror attack

Bodies are pictured lying on the ground in the Las Ramblas area

EPA
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Bodies are pictured lying on the ground in the Las Ramblas area

Another body covered by a foil blanket is checked by an investigator

Reuters
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Another body covered by a foil blanket is checked by an investigator

Young people run down the street amid the chaos of the depraved terror assault

AP:Associated Press
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Young people run down the street amid the chaos of the depraved terror assault

The popular tourist-filled city resembled a war zone after the van attack

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The popular tourist-filled city resembled a war zone after the van attack

An armed officer pictured beside dozens of people near the scene of the attack

Reuters
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An armed officer pictured beside dozens of people near the scene of the attack
New video of people fleeing the scene of white van crash in Barcelona

Steve Garrett was in a nearby market and sheltered in a bakery with several others after streams of people ran inside.

One member of the group, who took refuge with him, said she had heard gunshots after the incident.

Mr Garrett told the BBC: "A very large number of people ran into the market area in a big kind of way, lots of screaming, lots of shouting.

"The security guards immediately responded. We ran into the bakery with four or five other people and ran straight upstairs and hunkered down whilst an enormous wave of people went through the market.

"Obviously coming from England it was reminding me a great deal of what happened in London, so we were very concerned about what might be going on next.

"The lady that was with us said she heard some gunshots."

Mr Garrett said a "second wave" of people then entered the market, followed by armed police.

He said: "They seemed to sweep through the market area. They seemed to be looking for someone. They were going very carefully, very cautiously, stall to stall."

Armed police make their way through La Boqueria market after Las Ramblas terror attack in Barcelona

Dozens of people are injured and at least two people are dead

EPA
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Dozens of people are injured and at least two people are dead

Armed cops draw their weapons as they rush to Las Ramblas

EPA
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Armed cops draw their weapons as they rush to Las Ramblas
Emergency services arrive at scene after white van crash in Barcelona

Vehicle attacks since last summer

VEHICLES have become the weapon of choice for terrorists in Europe with automotive violence striking several countries since last summer.

Stretching from the Mediterranean to Scanidnavia innocents have been mown down in the streets as the vile attacks sweep the continent.

Since last summer there have been vehicle attacks in:

  • Nice - 14 July 2016
  • Berlin - 19 December 2016
  • London - 22 March 2017 (Westminster Bridge) 3 June 2017 (London Bridge)
  • Stockholm - 7 April 2017
  • Barcelona - Today

Injured people lie on the ground on Las Ramblas in Barcelona after terror attack
Eyewitness Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer, told Sky News: "I did not see the van mount the pavement. I heard the crash.

"People started screaming and everybody ran in the opposite direction.

"The shopkeeper we spoke to said a van had mounted the pavement and driven into a crowd and at least five or six people, he thought, were very seriously injured."

Ada Colau, the President of Catalonia, the autonomous Spanish state where Barcelona is the capital, has cancelled her holiday and is returning to the city.

In a written statement, British Prime Minister Theresa May said: "I am sickened by the senseless loss of life in Barcelona today.

"The Foreign Office is working to establish if any British nationals were involved in this appalling incident and we are in close contact with the authorities in Spain, who have our full support.

"Following the attacks in Manchester and London, Spain stood alongside the British people. Tonight, Britain stands with Spain against the evil of terrorism."

President Donald Trump tweeted: "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!"

Reports of two armed men entering restaurant after white van 'terror attack' in Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Witnesses work to tend to the injured in the aftermath of the van horror

AP:Associated Press
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Witnesses work to tend to the injured in the aftermath of the van horror

At least 32 people were injured in the van rampage through Barcelonas Las Rambla's tourist district

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At least 32 people were injured in the van rampage through Barcelonas Las Rambla's tourist district

People gather in the Las Ramblas area waiting for updates from authorities

Rex Features
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People gather in the Las Ramblas area waiting for updates from authorities

Tourists pictured leaving the troubled Catalan city

Rex Features
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Tourists pictured leaving the troubled Catalan city
Police helicopter hunts for 'attacker' after a van crashed into people on La Rambla, Barcelona

The British Foreign Office guidance for Spain reads: "Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain."Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

"Spanish police have disrupted a number of groups suspected of recruiting individuals to travel to Syria and Iraq from 2015 to the present date.

"Some of them expressed an intention to carry out attacks in Europe.

"There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria."


Did you see what happened in Barcelona? Are you in the Las Ramblas area now? Please get in touch with us on 0207 782 4397 or email neal.baker@the-sun.co.uk