19: 35
UPDATE: Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn has now confirmed that 13 people have been killed and there are at least 50 people injured.
18:15
At least one person has died and 32 have been injured after a van crashed into a crowd of people at a popular tourist spot in Barcelona.
Catalan police confirmed the news in a press conference this evening.
https://twitter.com/mossos/status/898230254141157378
Several people were also injured after a white van mounted the footpath at Las Ramblas, the main tourist area in the city, and hit several people in the area.
Catalan police have confirmed that of the 32 injured, 10 people are in serious condition.
https://twitter.com/mossos/status/898229783284387842
Spanish media,
including El Mundo, report the death toll at 13. Police have not officially confirmed the number.
Sky News reports that the van came to a stop at the entrance to the Liceu metro station and the people fled the scene on foot.
Police are saying it was a "massive crash" and have confirmed they are treating it as a terrorist attack.
https://twitter.com/mossos/status/898228223531765760
Emergency services are urging everyone to stay away from the area around Placa Catalunya.
According to
The Guardian, a spokesman for a chain of a number of restaurants in the area said that there were 600 people stuck inside.
They are waiting for permission from the police to be able to leave.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he is in contact with all authorities and the priority at the moment is to attend to the injured.
https://twitter.com/marianorajoy/status/898209468349075457
