At Least 2 Dead After Van Plows Into Pedestrians At Major Tourist Hub In Barcelona

Police confirmed the incident was a terrorist attack.
  • At least one person was killed and 32 injured when a van rammed into pedestrians on a popular tourist street in Barcelona.
  • Authorities closed off the area and are hunting for the driver.
  • Car and truck attacks have killed over 100 people across Europe in recent years.
People react after a van crashed into pedestrians in a crowded and popular tourist area in Barcelona Thursday.
People react after a van crashed into pedestrians in a crowded and popular tourist area in Barcelona Thursday.
David Armengou/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

A white van plowed into pedestrians at a major tourist hub in Barcelona on Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring 32 others in what police have confirmed was a terrorist attack.

Authorities were still searching for one suspect as of 6:08 p.m. local time, according to a tweet. No terror group has yet taken responsibility for the attack.

Ji-Sub Jeong/HuffPost

The incident took place in the area of Las Ramblas, a historic street leading up to a central plaza in the city. A pedestrian walkway runs down the center of the street, with cars driving on either side.

Footage posted to social media shows people running near Barcelona's Plaça de Catalunya. Another video shows people lying in the street, some heavily bloodied and unresponsive. Authorities said 10 of those wounded were critically injured.

Metro stations surrounding the site have been closed, and emergency services have warned against going near the area.

Images and video from the scene also show a white van with the logo of a car rental company, and police searching through streets lined with shuttered businesses in the aftermath of the attack.

Car and truck attacks have killed over 100 people in separate incidents across Europe in recent years. Extremist groups have long advocated for their supporters to use vehicles to target pedestrians, and authorities have struggled with ways to address the potential threat.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy urged people to focus on serving the wounded and facilitating the work of authorities. The city activated its emergency protocol plan to care for victims, Mayor Ada Colau said.

  • David Armengou/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
    Injured people react after a van crashed into pedestrians in a crowded tourist area in Barcelona Thursday.
  • David Armengou/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
    Police officers attend to injured people.
  • David Armengou/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
    Police officers and emergency service workers move an injured person into an ambulance.
  • JOSEP LAGO via Getty Images
    Armed policemen stand in a cordoned-off area.
  • Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
    People move away from the area.
  • JOSEP LAGO via Getty Images
    Policemen stand next to vehicles in a cordoned-off area.
  • JOSEP LAGO via Getty Images
    Police said 20 were wounded in the attack.
  • PAU BARRENA via Getty Images
    Authorities shut down metro stations in the area.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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