British tourists in Spain were today warned to expect further terror attacks – as Europe’s top cop said holidaymakers faced their highest threat in a generation.
Europol’s chief Rob Wainwright spoke of the highest-ever terror alert on the continent following a string of attacks on holidaymakers.
The 49-year-old tweeted this morning: ‘Terrorism at its most simple and brutal. And highly challenging for police to stop. Highest threat in Europe for a generation.’
These were the harrowing scenes in Barcelona after a van was driven into pedestrians in Las Ramblas in the heart of the city
Europol’s chief Rob Wainwright spoke of the highest threat on the continent in a generation
The Foreign Office has warned Britons to be vigilant while visiting Spain, as it warned that additional terror-related incidents were ‘likely’.
It is estimated that more than a million nationals are currently in Spain, which is by far the most popular destination for British holidaymakers during the summer.
And many have already been warned by some travel providers that there will not be refunds for families who wish to cancel their trips or come home early.
Thomson, the UK’s largest holiday company, said that ‘normal booking terms and conditions’ applied to its packages following the atrocities.
The van used to plough into crowds in Barcelona is towed away by police in the early hours of this morning with the driver still believed to be at large
It is estimated that more than a million nationals are currently in Spain, which is by far the most popular destination for British holidaymakers during the summer
British Airways and Thomas Cook both suggested customers contact them to discuss their options, while easyJet said passengers could change for no extra fee.
Those wishing to leave Spain as soon as possible have been advised that many flights are booked up because of it being the peak summer season.
However there are also well-served rail and coach links that can help people leave Barcelona, while Cambrils is on a train line and near Reus Airport.
Meanwhile those planning to go to Spain who no longer wish to do so have been told they cannot make a claim against their travel insurance.
This is the overturned Audi A3 used by a gang of five jihadis in suicide belts who ploughed into crowds in the seaside town of Cambrils. The attack 70 miles from Barcelona came eight hours after 13 were killed in the Catalan city in a van attack
Five terror suspects including this man were shot dead in the early hours of this morning after police in Cambrils responded to the latest terror attack in Spain
However people wishing to change their travel arrangements can normally transfer their insurance to cover their new destingation.
The death toll from both the Barcelona and Cambrils attack was raised to 14 today, while 130 people were confirmed injured, including 17 in critical condition.
Mark Rowley, the UK lead for Counter Terrorism Policing, called for Brits to be vigilant while holidaying in Spain, describing the current terror threat as ‘global’.
‘The key advice is to run to a place of safety,’ he added. ‘If there is nowhere to run then hide. It is better to hide than confront.
In Barcelona, a hired van (pictured), registered to rental company Telefurgo, rammed into scores of holidaymakers and their children
‘Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can.
‘Officers are at UK ports today ready to meet British holiday-makers returning to the UK from the region in order to take any witness accounts.
‘The current threat is global and it is only by working together that it can be defeated.
‘In the UK the current threat from international terrorism remains “severe” meaning an attack is highly likely. We remain on a heightened state of readiness.’