British tourists have been urged to ‘stay inside’ after keep away from the centre of Barcelona following a terror attack.
The Foreign Office has issued guidance to Britons currently visiting the Spanish city to ‘take care’ and follow the advice of authorities.
Thirteen people are believed to have been killed and dozens injured after a van in Barcelona ploughed into pedestrians and two men entered a restaurant with guns.
Pictures and video emerging from the scene show police cars and ambulances near the Las Ramblas, a busy tree-lined promenade in the centre of the city.
Four people are believed to have been killed and dozens injured after a van in Barcelona ploughed into pedestrians and two men entered a restaurant with guns
British tourists have been urged to ‘stay inside’ after keep away from the centre of Barcelona following a terror attack
The British Embassy in Madrid and Consulate General in Barcelona said it was in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information.
A statement to British nationals read: ‘Local authorities have advised people to stay inside and stay away from the Las Ramblas area of the city.
‘If you’re in the immediate area you should take care and follow the advice of the local security authorities.
‘Press reports suggest that some public transport, particularly the metro, has been affected.’
Gunfire was heard at the Corte Ingles store in the area after police announced a ‘massive crash’.
Flights from Britain into Barcelona are currently landing at Barcelona Airport, as are planes flying into the UK from the Catalan city.
It is believed the van hit pedestrians before gunmen ran into a nearby restaurant to hold diners hostage.
Tom Gueller, who lives on an adjoining road, was forced to flee the scene when he saw the van hurtling through the crowds.
Flights from Britain into Barcelona are currently landing at Barcelona Airport, as are planes flying into the UK from the Catalan city
Pictured: A man lying on the street in Barcelona after the van ploughed into pedestrians along Las Ramblas
He told BBC’s PM: ‘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.
‘I ran away, I mean I live near, I had to run back about 50 metres or so and go up to my flat and obviously see what’s happening on the road from my balcony.’
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.’
Mr Gueller said many of the shops had pulled their shutters down and armed police were positioned on street corners, with cordons in place on the road.
More than 12 million British nationals visit Spain every year, with the majority of those travelling during the summer holidays.
- The emergency number for UK citizens in Barcelona is +34 93 366 6200. If in the UK and worried about a national, you can call 020 7008 1500
The Foreign Office has issued guidance to Britons currently visiting the Spanish city to ‘take care’ and follow the advice of authorities