Death toll rises to 15 in Spain's terror attacks
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, August 19, 2017
The number of people killed in Thursday's double terror attacks rose to 15, as Spanish people demonstrated defiance and condolences by leaders of the world poured in on Friday.
|
|
|
Police officers ask people to leave Plaza Catalonia following a terrorist attack in central Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 17, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Thirteen people were killed Thursday afternoon in the popular Las Ramblas area of Barcelona when a white van zigzagged at high speed down the busy avenue thronged with tourists, knocking down pedestrians.
On Thursday night, the 14th victim, a woman, was stabbed and later died at hospital on Friday, when five people jumped out of a car and began attacking people at random on the seaside promenade in Cambrils, a town south of Barcelona. Spanish police shot all five attackers dead.
Death toll climbs to 15 with driver still at large
"A woman injured yesterday in Cambrils attack has died. 14 citizens died yesterday in #Barcelona and Cambrils terrorist attacks," Catalan emergency services tweeted Friday.
Suspects of Cambrils terrorists carried an ax and knives and wore belts with false explosives attached to the body, the Catalan police, Mossos d'Esquadra, said on Twitter Friday.
The van driver involved in the Barcelona attack was still at large, but a manhunt after the two attacks led to the arrests of four people, including three Moroccans and one Spaniard, according to local police.
Local police authority is considering the possibility that one of five terrorists shot in Cambrils was also involved in the Barcelona attacker, according to local media.
Catalan emergency services also said the number of the injured has risen to 130 in the double terror attacks.
A provisional assessment showed that the victims of the double attacks are of 34 nationalities, the service posted on its Twitter account.
Chinese president, premier send condolences to Spanish counterparts
Shortly after the Barcelona attacks, leaders form the world, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, expressed extended condolences to their Spanish counterparts and condemned the deadly terrorist attacks.
In his message to Spanish King Felipe VI, Xi said he is shocked to learn the terror attack in Barcelona that has caused heavy casualties.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, Xi mourned the dead and expressed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured.
"China is firmly opposed to all forms of terrorism and stands ready to work with the international community, including Spain, to strengthen anti-terror cooperation so as to jointly safeguard regional and world peace and stability," the Chinese president said.
In a message of condolences, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, on behalf of the Chinese government, mourned the dead, extended heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and hoped for rapid recovery of the injured.
China firmly supports Spain in its efforts to fight terrorism and safeguard national security, and is willing to work with all nations, including Spain, to make joint contributions to world peace and security, said the Chinese premier.
Working together and as a team
Spanish Prime Minister on Friday called governmental bodies to "work together" and "as a team" against terrorism and in chasing terrorists who made the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks.
"That they know that the help of the government will always have it," he told officials.
On Friday, thousands of people gathered in downtown Barcelona to show their defiance to terrorism.
People held a minute's silence on Friday midday at Placa Catalunya, close to Las Ramblas. The crowd chanted "no tinc por", meaning "I am not afraid" in Catalan, and applauded for around two minutes.
The gathering was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI, Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and other political leaders from Spain's main political parties, as well as Catalan leaders and Barcelona's Mayor Ada Colau.
Madrid also held a minute of silence at the Congress of Deputies building.
Meanwhile, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) on Friday strongly condemned the double attacks, and expressed solidarity with the families of victims and wounded.
The new WTTC president and CEO, Gloria Guevara, expressed her sadness over these cruel attacks in Spain and said that her heart is with the "victims, their friends and families."
The organization has offered full support of the world tourism and travel sector to all those affected -- the two Catalan destinations, Spanish society and the country -- in these "difficult times", said Guevara.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)