Terror erupts in the streets of Barcelona

James Dralle, Associate Editor

On Thursday Aug. 17 a van plowed the crowded streets of Barcelona in the Las Ramblas district, killing 14, and injuring a total of 80 civilians.

This was not the only terror attack tied to Spain. Just hours after the first incident, the Catalan police surrounded another vehicle in the town of Cambrills, 70 miles to the South. The attacker opened on a crowd of civilians, killing four people. Another civilian died due to wounds inflicted by the attacker.

Three suspects were detained by the police. One of the men used his own identification papers to rent the van.

The Catalan police force also confirmed they shot and killed five other suspects in the attack. Moussa Oukabir, 17, El Houssaine Abouyaaqoub, 19, Said Aallaa 19, Omar Hychami 21, and Mohamed Hychami 24, were attackers who were confirmed dead by police.

Witnesses describe the scene as chaotic, as people dropped their belongings to flee the van. Police refer to the scene as a “massive trampling.”

The graphic videos recorded by several witnesses, displayed people laying on the ground with visible amounts of blood.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, but it was later proven ISIS was not involved. This isn’t the first time ISIS has claimed responsibility for a terror attack in which they had no involvement.

President Donald Trump later tweeted about the terror attack on Aug. 18t, saying “The United States condemns the terror attacks in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!”

Photo credit by cnn.com