Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a van that mowed into crowds on the bustling La Ramblas tourist strip of Barcelona in the early hours of this morning – mid-afternoon in Spain.
At least 13 people have been killed and more than 80 injured, according to current reports, with eyewitnesses saying the vehicle sped a staggering 500-metres into a pedestrian-only area at as fast as 80km/hour.
Three Australians are among the injured, smh.com.au reports, including a NSW woman who is in “serious but stable condition in hospital,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told media, and two Victorian men who have minor injuries.
In the wake of the devastating attack, former US President Barack Obama responded on Twitter in a way we wish Donald Trump had followed.
“Michelle and I are thinking of the victims and their families in Barcelona. Americans will always stand with our Spanish friends. Un abrazo,” he wrote. “Un abrazo” translates to “a hug” in English.
On social media, Trump condemned the attack as an act of terrorism and said the US “will do whatever is necessary to help”. “Be tough & strong, we love you!” he added.
But then, Trump also posted a bizarre reference to a bogus story about defeating terrorists.
He Tweeted: “Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught. There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!”
As The New York Times points out, US General John Pershing supposedly shot Muslim rebels with with bullets dipped in the blood of pigs in the Philippines. The story is generally regarded by historians as untrue. Fake news at it’s finest.
Following on from the terrifying Barcelona attack, Australian Susan McLean spoke with Sunrise, saying “it was too close for comfort.”
“There was a tidal wave of people running from Las Ramblas around the corner down our street. They were panicked, they were running for their lives. They were screaming, they were crying hysterically. Immediately we knew something terrible had happened.”
Two men have already been arrested over the attack, while one is being reported as dead. One of the men in a Moroccan citizen, 28-year-old Driss Oukabir, who police say rented the van used in the attack. The second man arrested is a Spanish citizen, according to news.com.au reports.
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