Two persons have been killed after a van ploughed into a crowd in Barcelona’s busy tourist area, local police have confirmed.
The incident, which left over 20 persons injured happened on Thursday evening at the city’s iconic Las Ramblas area, which is full of shops and restaurants.
Police have classified the van incident as a “terrorist attack”.
The driver fled the scene and is currently on the run.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he was in contact with authorities.
Official report which claimed several people have been injured could not reveal the motive for the incident as at the time of this report.
According to Reuters, local emergency services have requested the closure of metro and train stations in the vicinity of the incident while Catalan police told everyone in the vicinity of Plaça de Catalunya to remain inside and the general populace to avoid the area.
An eyewitness who spoke with local police said the situation was “very tense” and all surrounding shops are being evacuated.
The witness added that, “at least eight ambulances are at the scene. Emergency services say the area has been cordoned off and all public transportation stopped.
