Terrorist attack in Barcelona

Breaking news,

2 dead and many injured as van crashes into pedestrians in Barcelona city centre...

Barcelona: Van hits crowds in Ramblas tourist area


8 minutes ago


A van has ploughed into crowds in Barcelona's Ramblas tourist area.

Spanish police say several people have been injured in a "massive crash", while emergency services are urging people to stay away from the area around Plaça Catalunya.

Reports from the scene say people are taking cover in nearby shops and cafes.

Reuters news agency reports that emergency services have requested the closure of local metro and train stations.

El Pais newspaper said the driver of the vehicle had fled on foot after mowing down dozens of people.




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.

Details of this incident are still unclear, but vehicles have been used to ram into crowds in a series of militant attacks across Europe since July last year.


Las Ramblas
◾Central boulevard that runs 1.2km (0.75 miles) through the centre of Barcelona
◾Runs from the city's Placa de Catalunya (Catalonia Square) to the Christopher Columbus monument at the seafront.
◾Popular with tourists because of its market stalls, bars and restaurants
◾Barcelona city council restricted traffic flow because of heavy pedestrian use of the street

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40965581

My friends from Barcelona are talking about 13 dead now and many, many injured. Some of their friends in hiding. Fortunately they're staying with me here, otherwise they might have been out for a meet and greet, drinks & diner there too ...

Apart from that, these terrorist attacks on innocent people [not enemies, some might even agree with them and their way of living/thinking ...] is absolutely medieval and one cannot put enough effort into to trying to stop it.

My 14yr old son was there a few weeks ago with school, I nearly didn't let him go because of this devastating evil, he said I was too over protective, what is wrong with some people in this world?

A further attack but thankfully only the perpetrators were killed.

http://news.sky.com/story/possible-terrorist-attack-south-of-barcelona-10993411

He has been confirmed as one of the victims who died........

Julian Cadman: British-born boy, 7, confirmed as victim in Barcelona attack



British-born Julian Cadman has been confirmed as one of the victims of the Barcelona terror attack.
The seven-year-old's family said they had been "so blessed" to have had him in their lives as they confirmed he was among the 13 killed when a van ploughed into crowds on Las Ramblas on Thursday.
In a statement the family said: "We are so blessed to have had him in our lives and will remember his smiles and hold his memory dear to our hearts."


Julian's father Andrew Cadman landed in Barcelona yesterday after an agonising flight from Sydney, where the family has lived since Julian was four.
His wife Jumarie was also seriously injured when she and her son were caught up in the massacre on the city's busy central boulevard.
They became separated as the vehicle zig-zagged through pedestrians. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, family members posted desperate appeals on social media to find Julian's whereabouts as many, including British officials, believed he was missing.

In a separate statement shared by the Spanish missing persons bureau, a company named Virbac who Mr Cadman worked for said: "The family of Julian Cadman have informed us that regrettably he is one of the victims of the attack and they have asked us to thank all the people who have spread the news.
"In these unjust, hard and painful moments we share the feelings of Julian's relatives and friends. Rest in peace."
This page is being updated

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/julian-cadman-britishborn-boy-7-confirmed-dead-after-barcelona-van-attack-a3615831.html


I've deleted the three previous posts now that this awful news has been confirmed.