Breaking News: Terror Attack in Barcelona Kills At Least 13, Injures Over 100 More
Breaking News: Terror Attack in Barcelona Kills At Least 13, Injures Over 100 More
A terror attack in Barcelona has killed at least 13 people and left over 100 injured.On Thursday afternoon, a rental van barreled down the Spanish city's popular pedestrian street, La Rumbla, mowing down scores of bystanders until screeching to a halt.While not all the information about the attack has yet been uncovered, local authorities have declared it an act of terror.Officials in the autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia – which includes Barcelona – said they’ve arrested two people in relation to the incident. Police say neither of the men in custody are suspected of being the driver, but are nevertheless connected to the attack.The state’s police chief, Josep Lluis Trapero, told CNN that whoever was behind the wheel managed to escape the scene amidst panic and confusion.“The driver abandoned the van and escaped from the area,” said Trapero. “There is no evidence that he was armed.”The Spanish National Police released a photograph of Driss Oubakir, whose documents were used to rent the van used in the attack. Local media outlets reported that Oubakir was born in Morocco and is in his mid-twenties.However, BBC noted that Oubakir has contacted law enforcement, claiming not to have been involved in Thursday’s tragedy. He said his identification and other vital documents had been stolen.Although no individual or group has been established as a culprit, ISIS media outlet Amaq reported the terrorist organization had claimed credit.
La Rumbla is a busy pedestrian section of Barcelona, popular with locals and tourists alike. Thursday's terror attack saw a van weaving haphazardly along one of the area's main plazas. Image courtesy of Reuters, via BBC.
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About Ryan J. Farrick
Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, he’s an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics.