Catalonia's interior minister has confirmed that 13 people have died after a van crashed into a crowd in the tourist area of Las Ramblas, Barcelona.
A white van crashed into crowds on Las Ramblas - a busy tree-lined promenade in the centre of the Catalonian city - injuring a further 50 people.
In a tweet, the police of Catalunya (the area in which Barcelona sits) said: "Confirmed terrorist attack. The protocol for these cases is enabled."
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Previously, Spanish police had stated that many have been fatalities and many have been injured in a 'massive crash', with emergency services on the scene and main roads around the area closed.
A previous statement from the police read: "Huge collision on Las Ramblas in Barcelona by an individual driving a van, many injuries."
Spanish authorities have ordered the closure of local metro and train stations, with many scared residents and tourists believed to be taking cover in nearby cafes and restaurants.
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Eyewitness Tom Gueller has told the BBC about how he was forced to flee the scene.
"I heard screams and a bit of a crash and then I just saw the crowd parting and this van going full pelt down the middle of the Ramblas and I immediately knew that it was a terrorist attack or something like that," he told Radio 4's PM programme.
Asked about the van, he said: "It wasn't slowing down at all. It was just going straight through the middle of the crowds in the middle of the Ramblas."
Credit: PA
In one photograph, shown by public broadcaster RTVE, three people were seen lying on the ground in the street.
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The scenes are similar to the atrocities seen in Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm over recent months.
Las Ramblas is a 1.2km stretch running through the centre of
the city and is popular with tourists for its market stalls, bars and restaurants.
Many well-wishers have reacted to the sad news on social media...
Local police are expected to hold a news conference on Thursday evening in regards to the attack.
Featured Image Credit: PA
