Barcelona attack: Bomb squad inspects area close to where driver hit police officers

Polce are seen responding to the terror attack in Barcelona (AP)

The bomb squad has been called to check an area in the outskirts of Barcelona where a car struck police officers at a roadblock.

The development follows after a van plowed through Barcelona's Las Ramblas avenue near central Barcelona, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike with cafes and shops near the coast. Thirteen people have been confirmed dead, while at least 80 others have been injured. Police are treating the incident as a terror attack.

It wasn't immediately clear if the the car that hit the two officers is related to the earlier attacks at Las Ramblas. The individual who hit them was reportedly driving a Ford Focus, and sped off after the attack. The car was later found, prompting the bomb squad response.

The earlier van sped through a pedestrian area at Las Ramblas, hitting those in its path and sending others running for cover in nearby cafes and bars, at a time when tourism in Europe is at its height. After coming to a stop, local media reports that the driver fled on foot down. A video of the carnage showed bodies laying on the pavement, unmoving, as people rushed to help living victims or to simply get away.

Since then, at least one person has been killed during a shoot out with police in a town on the outskirts of the city, and two individuals have been arrested in the region.

It wasn't immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, or what the motive may have been, but Isis claimed responsibility soon after the carnage through its Amaq news agency. Police released a photo and the name of a man who allegedly rented the van that was used in the terror attack. Local media says that suspect is in his 20s, and was born in Morocco. It is not clear if he was one of the individuals arrested.

The large number of injured persons prompted local hospitals to ask for blood donations. Long lines have reportedly popped up in the city, with citizens eager to do their part to help their victims.

After the attack, officials from around the globe began expressing support for the people of Barcelona. That included London Mayor Sadiq Khan, US President Donald Trump, former US President Barack Obama, and many others. The city hall in Tel Aviv was lit up to resemble the Spanish flag in a symbol of solidarity.

(Graphic News (Graphic News)