Authorities have confirmed that there are 13 persons announced dead while more than 100 persons are injured after the terrorist attack at Las Ramblas, Barcelona on Thursday, August 17.
According to the authorities, they are now investigating on the assumption that the other deadly events, a terrorist incident in Cambrils and a house explosion in Alcanar were linked to the van attack in Barcelona, in which ISIS taking credit.
According to a report, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. Although ISIS has lost its ground in Iraq and Syria, it reportedly maintains the ability to claim attacks in Europe. However, it is still unclear if the group was also behind the operational planning of the attacks.
ISIS' media wing, Amaq, said the perpetrators of the Barcelona attack were "soldiers of the Islamic State."
Spanish newspaper, El Pais reported the attacker and identified as a Moroccan-born named Driss Oukabir. The authorities have identified him as the man who rented and used the van for attack. Moreover, another suspect is reportedly also arrested.
"Two suspects -- one from Morocco, one from the Spanish enclave of Melilla -- were arrested in connection with the Barcelona attack," Catalan Police Chief Josep Lluis Trapero said.
The said terrorist attack began early evening when a van plowed over the crowds in Las Ramblas avenues. Authorities confirmed that there are 80 people taken to the hospitals while 15 persons were seriously hurt.
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the incident as an act of "jihadi terrorism." He also spoke his grief and expressed condolences to the victims' families.
"I want to also express my solidarity with all of Spain to the city of Barcelona, today hit by jihadi terrorism, like other cities have been in the world," Rajoy said.
