On 17/18 August 2017, there were 2 terrorist-related incidents where vehicles were driven directly at pedestrians, resulting in injuries and loss of life. These were in the Las Ramblas area of Barcelona and Cambrils, near Salou (100km southwest of Barcelona).
The British Embassy in Madrid and Consulate General in Barcelona are in contact with local authorities and supporting British nationals affected by these incidents. There may be restrictions in place; you should follow the advice of the local authorities.
The Spanish authorities have set up a helpline for people affected by the incidents – the number is 0034 93 214 21 24; addition of a link to information about support available to you if you’ve been affected.
The Catalan Government have also issued advice in English following the attacks which they say have left 14 dead and 126 injured, 120 in Barcelona and 6 in Cambrils. They are of 34 different nationalities. The majority of people hospitalized are from Spain (24); 20 are from France; 10 from Germany and 4 from Holland and Ireland.
At this moment, the priority is to identify the victims and the wounded quickly, and to be able to provide information to those who have turned to the Catalan Government for answers. In addition to coordinating the emergency services of the hospitals, the Government is also supporting the relatives of the victims. The Gran Via Palace Hotel has also been set up to serve the people affected and the Generalitat has activated the free telephone number at (+34) 900 400 012 to attend the those affected by the incident.
The president of the Catalan Government, Carles Puigdemont, has condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and reaffirmed that Catalonia has been and will always be a land of peace and welcome. The President also thanked all the law enforcement agencies, the emergency and health services, as well as the citizens of Barcelona for the solidarity showed following the incident.
The forensic doctors of the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences of the Department of Justice are already working on the identification of the mortal victims who have arrived at the Ciutat de la Justicia, where they will perform autopsies and other tests to determine their identity. The relatives of the mortal victims will be attended by teams of psychologists, social workers, forensic doctors and Mossos. The Department of Justice will provide the necessary translators. The bodies of the foreign victims will be repatriated once identified and with the prior authorization of the judge.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will update all the available information.
The Catalan Government urges citizens to only follow official sources.
If you have any information in relation to the day’s events, contact the Catalan Police at mossos.terrorisme@gencat.cat or call 937 285 220
Public transport
Service has been resumed throughout the public transport network.
Due to the declaration of three days of mourning in Barcelona, the continuous metro service planned for Friday night as an extraordinary measure to provide transport back-up for the Gràcia festival has been cancelled. The metro network will now operate its usual Friday service, until 02.00.
Support areas set up at Barcelona Airport to offer assistance to family members
Two support areas have been set up at #barcelona Airport with the cooperation of the Catalan police force @mossos, the Catalan Red Cross @CreuRojaCAT, and civil defence #ProteccioCivil, to offer support and information to family members of those affected by the terror attacks.
