Terrorist attack confirmed in Barcelona
August 17, 2017 10:24 AM Subscribe
Van driven into crowd in heavily populated area in Barcelona today. Catalonian police confirm a terrorist attack. Updates from Mossos, Guardian, and NYTimes.
(Noted this was getting some discussion on the catch-all thread, so starting a separate one here. Mods, if inappropriate, feel free to remove).
No. I am in disbelief - I visited Barcelona just last year, and ate just off Las Ramblas at the Boqueria Market. It was such a wonderful experience. I hope for all the best for everyone involved. Such a heart breaking situation.
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posted by helmutdog at 10:55 AM on August 17, 2017
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posted by helmutdog at 10:55 AM on August 17, 2017
One person killed in a terrorist attack by a moving vehicle.
¿Cuál es otra palabra para espada en español?
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posted by Nanukthedog at 11:19 AM on August 17, 2017
¿Cuál es otra palabra para espada en español?
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posted by Nanukthedog at 11:19 AM on August 17, 2017
Officials are saying at least 13 dead.
posted by Justinian at 11:27 AM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 11:27 AM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Made the big mistake to look at the first videos on Twitter as I was caught off guard. Big mistake. Don't make my same mistake.
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This has been a shitty shitty week for my already heavy heart.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 11:29 AM on August 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
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This has been a shitty shitty week for my already heavy heart.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 11:29 AM on August 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
We have been reporting people posting images of the victims to twitter. It is rather horrible. Be careful with the hashtags.
posted by sukeban at 11:34 AM on August 17, 2017
posted by sukeban at 11:34 AM on August 17, 2017
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posted by Annabelle74 at 11:40 AM on August 17, 2017
posted by Annabelle74 at 11:40 AM on August 17, 2017
The celebrity deaths of 2016 were surprising and sad. The horrors and atrocities of 2017 are devastating and unbearable. It feels like the world has become completely unmoored.
posted by stillmoving at 11:40 AM on August 17, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 11:40 AM on August 17, 2017 [14 favorites]
Some useful info: the police have set up an information telephone number +34932142124
From the other thread: If someone has been stranded, Barcelona taxis and Cabify are transporting affected people for free. Turismo de Barcelona has announced that hotels will be offering shelter to tourists who can't access their lodgings.
posted by sukeban at 11:41 AM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
From the other thread: If someone has been stranded, Barcelona taxis and Cabify are transporting affected people for free. Turismo de Barcelona has announced that hotels will be offering shelter to tourists who can't access their lodgings.
posted by sukeban at 11:41 AM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Official death toll is now 13, with 50 injuries (ref Catalonia's interior minister on Twitter).
Facebook has also activated the safety check tool.
posted by stillmoving at 11:44 AM on August 17, 2017
Facebook has also activated the safety check tool.
posted by stillmoving at 11:44 AM on August 17, 2017
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posted by SisterHavana at 12:01 PM on August 17, 2017
posted by SisterHavana at 12:01 PM on August 17, 2017
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posted by tobascodagama at 12:29 PM on August 17, 2017
posted by tobascodagama at 12:29 PM on August 17, 2017
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posted by praemunire at 12:31 PM on August 17, 2017
posted by praemunire at 12:31 PM on August 17, 2017
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posted by vert canard at 12:35 PM on August 17, 2017
posted by vert canard at 12:35 PM on August 17, 2017
Trying to contact Mark..el irlandes q parl catala...from northside Cork City....
any help gratefully received..
posted by Wilder at 12:36 PM on August 17, 2017
any help gratefully received..
posted by Wilder at 12:36 PM on August 17, 2017
The Comisión Islámica de España, the council that represents Muslims to the national administration, has issued a message offering their "most strong rejection" of the attack and condolences towards the victims.
posted by sukeban at 12:43 PM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by sukeban at 12:43 PM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
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I, too, thought first of Las Ramblas, and how full of happy people it is in the sunshine.
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posted by infini at 12:54 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
I, too, thought first of Las Ramblas, and how full of happy people it is in the sunshine.
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posted by infini at 12:54 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Two people have been arrested. ISIS made a claim.
At this point, I am surprised ISIS hasn't claimed responsibility for success of Amazon or the creation of molecular gastronomy. They must have a whole staff watching newsfeeds in case something that fits their agenda so they can call it in.
Also, anyone else pissed no one immediately slapped a terrorist label on the Charlotteville incident?
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posted by Samizdata at 1:13 PM on August 17, 2017 [8 favorites]
At this point, I am surprised ISIS hasn't claimed responsibility for success of Amazon or the creation of molecular gastronomy. They must have a whole staff watching newsfeeds in case something that fits their agenda so they can call it in.
Also, anyone else pissed no one immediately slapped a terrorist label on the Charlotteville incident?
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posted by Samizdata at 1:13 PM on August 17, 2017 [8 favorites]
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posted by Faintdreams at 1:22 PM on August 17, 2017
posted by Faintdreams at 1:22 PM on August 17, 2017
Samizdata, yes, yes, yes. Furious.
posted by stillmoving at 1:29 PM on August 17, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 1:29 PM on August 17, 2017 [7 favorites]
.............
(Please, world, I don't want this comment to become outdated, okay? That's thirteen too-many periods already!)
posted by seyirci at 1:31 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
(Please, world, I don't want this comment to become outdated, okay? That's thirteen too-many periods already!)
posted by seyirci at 1:31 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
This probably comes across as blunt or oblivious to emotion but it's a question that I have every now and again but can't find it in myself to posit as an askme: It seems like this is a much more efficient use of terrorist capital (lives, morale, cash, training, difficulty) than suicide bombers so why don't we see more of this sort of casual violence as opposed to suicide bombers with vests? Same question for attacks on key infrastructure (High Voltage Transmission lines far from security posts, water stations, bridges large and small, etc).... I'll take my answer off the air lest I steal the air from the room overmuch.
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:31 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:31 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Add him to the list of terrorists and mass murderers with a history of domestic abuse.
posted by Tobu at 1:31 PM on August 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Tobu at 1:31 PM on August 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
..............
I am sitting here with tears pouring down my cheeks.
A city I adore; possibly the most vibrant city in the Mediterranean, probably the most liberated and tolerent city on earth. Thankfully all my friends are safe.
I know it's clichéd but Barcelona Te Amo.
posted by adamvasco at 2:10 PM on August 17, 2017 [6 favorites]
I am sitting here with tears pouring down my cheeks.
A city I adore; possibly the most vibrant city in the Mediterranean, probably the most liberated and tolerent city on earth. Thankfully all my friends are safe.
I know it's clichéd but Barcelona Te Amo.
posted by adamvasco at 2:10 PM on August 17, 2017 [6 favorites]
My wife and I decided to move out of the UK this year. It came down to moving to either Barcelona or Amsterdam. For various reasons, Amsterdam barely won out. But we both love Barcelona and Catalunya in general.
In preparation for our potential move, we visited several times recently, and even started learning Catalonian. I'd like to recommend the extremely learned Amb Filosofia. Or the beautifully produced Art Endins. Barcelona also has an enormous amount of bookstores and we spent the last trip buying up books and magazines - Jot Down is incredibly good.
All this is to say: Solidaris amb les víctimes del atemptat. Barcelona es un lloc molt especial per a mi.
posted by vacapinta at 2:12 PM on August 17, 2017 [10 favorites]
In preparation for our potential move, we visited several times recently, and even started learning Catalonian. I'd like to recommend the extremely learned Amb Filosofia. Or the beautifully produced Art Endins. Barcelona also has an enormous amount of bookstores and we spent the last trip buying up books and magazines - Jot Down is incredibly good.
All this is to say: Solidaris amb les víctimes del atemptat. Barcelona es un lloc molt especial per a mi.
posted by vacapinta at 2:12 PM on August 17, 2017 [10 favorites]
All the Catalan officials on TV -- the President of the Catalan Government, the Mayor of Barcelona, the Catalan Interior Minister -- are repeating that the best way to resist terrorism is to continue being a diverse and democratic society, and carry on with normal life.
The blood banks in Barcelona are overflowing with people who have come out to donate blood, and they are telling people to please come back in a few days.
The head of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) says that a house explosion in the South of Catalonia is being investigated as related to the attack, but they're not sure if the guy who drove through a checkpoint outside of Barcelona and ran over a policeman is related. They seem to be looking at a network of people spread out all across Catalonia. There is a lot of confusion and unknowns about what actually happened, which means that there are going to be a lot of unfounded rumors flying around.
posted by fuzz at 2:25 PM on August 17, 2017 [11 favorites]
The blood banks in Barcelona are overflowing with people who have come out to donate blood, and they are telling people to please come back in a few days.
The head of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) says that a house explosion in the South of Catalonia is being investigated as related to the attack, but they're not sure if the guy who drove through a checkpoint outside of Barcelona and ran over a policeman is related. They seem to be looking at a network of people spread out all across Catalonia. There is a lot of confusion and unknowns about what actually happened, which means that there are going to be a lot of unfounded rumors flying around.
posted by fuzz at 2:25 PM on August 17, 2017 [11 favorites]
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My brother and his family are there in a couple of days.
posted by Sebmojo at 2:39 PM on August 17, 2017
My brother and his family are there in a couple of days.
posted by Sebmojo at 2:39 PM on August 17, 2017
Catalan television has a Muslim woman speaking perfect Catalan saying "I'm tired of people seeing that I'm Muslim and asking me to respond for the terrorists", and closing by saying "I'm very happy with the way Barcelona has reacted. We could have closed up and become bitter, instead we are staying an open society." They followed that with live film of the police reopening Las Ramblas so people could go back to their homes and hotels.
posted by fuzz at 2:43 PM on August 17, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by fuzz at 2:43 PM on August 17, 2017 [21 favorites]
I was just there last month, out apartment was steps away from La Rambla, it is such a beautiful place. this sucks
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posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:10 PM on August 17, 2017
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posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:10 PM on August 17, 2017
I just
posted by Space Kitty at 3:35 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Space Kitty at 3:35 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
The comment I started to write was too bleak. Instead, I will hope for a better future for humanity. We are better than this.
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posted by billiebee at 4:04 PM on August 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by billiebee at 4:04 PM on August 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
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I only spent a few days in Barcelona, over two decades ago, but I remember Las Ramblas fondly. So sad for the victims and their families.
posted by rbellon at 4:49 PM on August 17, 2017
I only spent a few days in Barcelona, over two decades ago, but I remember Las Ramblas fondly. So sad for the victims and their families.
posted by rbellon at 4:49 PM on August 17, 2017
This probably comes across as blunt or oblivious to emotion but it's a question that I have every now and again but can't find it in myself to posit as an askme: It seems like this is a much more efficient use of terrorist capital (lives, morale, cash, training, difficulty) than suicide bombers so why don't we see more of this sort of casual violence as opposed to suicide bombers with vests? Same question for attacks on key infrastructure (High Voltage Transmission lines far from security posts, water stations, bridges large and small, etc).... I'll take my answer off the air lest I steal the air from the room overmuch.
(Civil Engineer who builds this kind of thing for a living)-
I have wondered the same thing. Especially since a surprising number of the...founders? Leaders? seem to have an engineering background or education and would seem to understand how vulnerable these systems are. My only answer I have come up with is that it isn't flashy and wouldn't play to people's fears that terrorists seem to crave. They want to be noticed, they want to be taken seriously and have a place at the table, and blowing up something that doesn't actually hurt people doesn't occur their world view as impacting society.
posted by bartonlong at 4:56 PM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
(Civil Engineer who builds this kind of thing for a living)-
I have wondered the same thing. Especially since a surprising number of the...founders? Leaders? seem to have an engineering background or education and would seem to understand how vulnerable these systems are. My only answer I have come up with is that it isn't flashy and wouldn't play to people's fears that terrorists seem to crave. They want to be noticed, they want to be taken seriously and have a place at the table, and blowing up something that doesn't actually hurt people doesn't occur their world view as impacting society.
posted by bartonlong at 4:56 PM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
MSNBC is reporting a possible 2nd attack in Cambrils, south of Barcelona.
posted by zakur at 4:57 PM on August 17, 2017
posted by zakur at 4:57 PM on August 17, 2017
why don't we see more of this sort of casual violence as opposed to suicide bombers with vests?
People are trained and indoctrinated for months, years before they can reliably kill other human beings. The hard part of making a human bomb isn't the "bomb" part.
This absolutely also applies to state-supported military forces as well. It takes time and effort to turn an 18-year-old high school graduate into an infantry soldier who will kill the enemy when ordered so to do.
posted by Etrigan at 5:17 PM on August 17, 2017 [6 favorites]
People are trained and indoctrinated for months, years before they can reliably kill other human beings. The hard part of making a human bomb isn't the "bomb" part.
This absolutely also applies to state-supported military forces as well. It takes time and effort to turn an 18-year-old high school graduate into an infantry soldier who will kill the enemy when ordered so to do.
posted by Etrigan at 5:17 PM on August 17, 2017 [6 favorites]
Vanguardia
4 presumed terrorists shot dead in Cambrils which is on the coast South West of Barcelona.
posted by adamvasco at 5:56 PM on August 17, 2017
4 presumed terrorists shot dead in Cambrils which is on the coast South West of Barcelona.
posted by adamvasco at 5:56 PM on August 17, 2017
Update - Guardian Live 5 killed in Cambrils.
Injured in Barcelona tops 100.
Jason Burke - Nature of Las Ramblas attack provides harsh lessons in fight against terror.
posted by adamvasco at 7:07 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Injured in Barcelona tops 100.
Jason Burke - Nature of Las Ramblas attack provides harsh lessons in fight against terror.
posted by adamvasco at 7:07 PM on August 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
The police are also investigating as part of the terror plot a gas explosion Wednesday evening that left one dead and seven wounded in Alcanar, Tarragona. The working hypothesis is that the dead person and one of the wounded were making explosives out of gas bottles.
posted by sukeban at 12:33 AM on August 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by sukeban at 12:33 AM on August 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by Mister Bijou at 4:32 AM on August 18, 2017
posted by Mister Bijou at 4:32 AM on August 18, 2017
Newspapers are reporting that according to police sources, the driver of the van in Barcelona is one of the attackers who were shot down in Cambrils. Meanwhile, one of the wounded in Cambrils, a Spanish woman, has died.
Video of the minute of silence tribute in Barcelona's Plaça Catalunya held this noon here.
posted by sukeban at 9:46 AM on August 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Video of the minute of silence tribute in Barcelona's Plaça Catalunya held this noon here.
posted by sukeban at 9:46 AM on August 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Stabbing incident in Turku, Finland. Circumstances not clear yet.
posted by runcifex at 10:16 AM on August 18, 2017
posted by runcifex at 10:16 AM on August 18, 2017
Defiant crowds in Barcelona. Twitter hashtag #notenimpor ('we are not afraid' in Catalan)
posted by vacapinta at 2:41 PM on August 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by vacapinta at 2:41 PM on August 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by daybeforetheday at 4:18 PM on August 18, 2017
posted by daybeforetheday at 4:18 PM on August 18, 2017
Biographies of ‘homegrown’ European terrorists show they are violent nihilists who adopt Islam, rather than religious fundamentalists who turn to violence
posted by adamvasco at 4:19 AM on August 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by adamvasco at 4:19 AM on August 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
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This is awful.
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posted by Imperfect at 10:39 AM on August 17, 2017 [2 favorites]