Barcelona terror: 13 dead, over 100 injured in van attack on Las Ramblas tourist strip
At least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a terrorist attack after a van ploughed through crowds on a busy Barcelona tourist strip.
The white Fiat van sped for one kilometre along the popular Las Ramblas pedestrian strip about 4.30pm on Thursday before crashing into a newspaper kiosk.
More than 80 people were hospitalised after the terror attack and Spanish police confirmed they had arrested two suspects.
At least three Australians were among the injured. A NSW woman is in a serious condition and two Victorian men received minor injuries.
One of the men is believed to be Catalan resident Driss Oukabir, 28, who is suspected to have rented the van.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australians had been caught up in the attack and one woman from New South Wales is in hospital in a "serious but stable condition."
What we know
13 dead, more than 100 injured
Van ploughed into pedestrians on Las Ramblas
Three Australians injured
Two men have been arrested
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack
"Two young Australian men have advised us that they were directly affected, they have gone back to their hotel and will seek medical treatment in the morning," she said.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“The perpetrators of the Barcelona attack are soldiers of the Islamic State and carried out the operation in response to calls for targeting coalition states,” the group’s Amaq propaganda news agency said.
'Bodies everywhere': Aussie witnesses describe 'terrifying' scenes after Barcelona van rampage
Witnesses said there were horrific screams as the vehicle drove through the crowds and left a "tangle of bodies," The Guardian reported.
"It’s tragic, I saw people on the ground who had been run over and other people running and crying," hotel worker Rebeca said.
"The van drove down the centre running over everyone."
Police placed the area in lockdown and advised residents to remain in their homes.
Carol Augustin, a manager at La Palau Moja, said the van passed right in front of the building.
"We saw everything. People started screaming and running into the office. It was such a chaotic situation. There were families with children. The police made us close the doors and wait inside," she said.
Among the injured were three Dutch tourists and authorities said one of the dead was from Belgium.
Las Ramblas, a street of stalls and shops that cuts through the center of Barcelona, is one of the city's top tourist destinations.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted after the attack to say "love and prayers are with the victims."
US President Donald Trump also wrote on Twitter: "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!"
British Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK "stands with Spain against terror".
Spain has been on a security alert one step below the maximum since June 2015 following attacks elsewhere in Europe and Africa.
Cars, trucks and vans have been the weapon of choice in multiple extremist attacks in Europe in the last year.
