A large van drove into countless pedestrians on Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain early Thursday afternoon.
Local officials say at least 13 people are dead with over 100 hospitalized. The occupants of the van fled and were believed to be armed and dangerous.
Barcelona police are investigating the incident as an act of terror—The Islamic State has claimed responsibility through its Amaq news agency.
Officials said two vans were possibly involved after a second suspect van was located.
Hours later, a car reportedly mowed down three police officers near the crime scene—there were reports of gunfire there before the incident was placed under control.
Two suspects are in custody and one was killed by police. The driver of the van was still on the run.
President Donald Trump has been briefed as major U.S. cities step-up security efforts.
Video posted to social media showed the horrific scene.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Ataque terrorista | Terrorist Attack en Plaza Cataluña, Barcelona. Spain pic.twitter.com/iwKR0FJHRt
— joe (@joeperez90) August 17, 2017
Video shows police in #Barcelona walking through an alleyway after deadly terror attack https://t.co/vkzWw2gJLh pic.twitter.com/tunmrzG4cY
— CNN (@CNN) August 17, 2017
STRONG IMAGES. THIS JUST HAPPENED IN BARCELONA pic.twitter.com/m13BXN22h8
— s (@taequela) August 17, 2017
13 dead in #Barcelona terror attack .??pic.twitter.com/C3hvUnSQAo via @MajorPoonia
— ARnews 1936 (@ARnews1936) August 17, 2017
The person who rented the weaponized van has been identified by local media as Driss Oukabir.
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